Changes of liver-specific microRNA expression during CCl4 induced chronic liver injury in recombinant inbred mouse lines (RIL)

Hepatic fibrosis represents a complex response to chronic liver injury. Genetic determinants of liver fibrosis can be identified by quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis in experimental crosses of inbred mouse lines (1). Recent studies have revealed the regulatory responsibility of Micro (mi) RNAs in liver diseases (2). Specifically miRNA 29 has been implicated in cardiac fibrosis by repressing profibrogenic genes (3). Our aim was to determine liver-specific miRNA expression during liver fibrogenesis in a panel of genetically distinct RILs. As a genetic reference population, we availed of 30 BXD RIL. Each line…