Complex interactions between miR-107 and PTEN gene expression, more specifically in viral and NASH cirrhosis

microRNAs play critical roles in modulating the molecular pathways involved in liver fibrosis. miR-107 has been reported to be elevated in the liver of patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and it is believed to regulate the PTEN gene, a negative regulator of the PI3K/PTEN/Akt signaling cascade. The PI3K/Akt pathway responds to metabolic stimuli like insulin and growth factors, influencing key functions such as lipid and glucose metabolism. In addition, hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs), particularly HIF-2α, are also involved in liver metabolism and may contribute to lipid synthesis by activating the same signaling axis. The present study aimed to examine the gene expression patterns of miR-107, PTEN, Akt, and HIF-2α in liver tissue of patients with simple steatosis and cirrhosis.

This case-control study assessed the gene expression levels using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) in liver tissues from individuals with simple steatosis (n = 6), cirrhosis (n = 32), and histologically normal controls (n = 7).

miR-107 expression was significantly increased in cirrhotic tissues compared with controls (p < 0.05). The increase was mostly related to viral cirrhosis. PTEN expression was reduced in both disease groups; however, this decline reached statistical significance only in the NASH cirrhosis (p < 0.01). Also, HIF-2α and Akt gene expression decrease and increase in cirrhosis, respectively. No correlation was detected between miR-107 and PTEN gene expressions in liver tissues.

These findings suggest that there are complex interactions between miR-107 and PTEN gene expression. Apparently, Increased miR-107 expression in viral cirrhosis and reduced PTEN expression in NASH cirrhosis suggest potential associations with specific cirrhosis etiologies.