The pluripotency factor LIN28 is targeted by neuronal microRNAs participating in myofibroblastic differentiation

Background and Aim: Activated hepatic stellate cells (HSC), which transdifferentiate into myofibroblastic cells, are the main producers of extracellular components upon chronic liver disease. Myofibroblastic transition is associated with an altered profile of profibrogenic growth factors, but also of neuronal signal transducers. MicroRNAs are small non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression by translational inhibition. Therefore, we studied the role of microRNAs known to be involved in neuronal differentiation during HSC transdifferentiation. Methods: RNA was extracted by the Trizol method from primary rat HS…