Role of microRNAs in hepatocyte differentiation

Liver or hepatocyte transplantation are preferable methods to cure patients suffering from end-stage liver disease. However, the limited supply of donor liver or hepatocytes causes high mortality world-wide. Recently, non-hepatocyte sources such as embryonic stem cells (ESCs) have been suggested as an alternate for generation of hepatocytes. However, the reliable and robust differentiation of ESCs into fully functional hepatocytes has not been achieved till date. Lately, microRNAs (miRNAs) have been shown to be essential for proper functioning of hepatocytes. However, the roles of miRNAs during differentiation o…