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. 2014 Sep 1;2(3):133-142.
doi: 10.1007/s40139-014-0048-9.

MicroRNAs in Cholangiopathies

Steven P O'Hara  1 , Sergio A Gradilone  1 , Tetyana V Masyuk  1 , James H Tabibian  1 , Nicholas F LaRusso  1
Affiliations

MicroRNAs in Cholangiopathies

Steven P O'Hara et al. Curr Pathobiol Rep. .

Abstract

Cholangiocytes, the cells lining bile ducts, comprise a small fraction of the total cellular component of the liver, yet perform the essential role of bile modification and transport of biliary and blood constituents. Cholangiopathies are a diverse group of biliary disorders with the cholangiocyte as the target cell; the etiopathogenesis of most cholangiopathies remains obscure. MicroRNAs are small non-coding RNAs that post-transcriptionally regulate gene expression. These small RNAs may not only be involved in the etiopathogenesis of disease, but are showing promise as diagnostic and prognostic tools. In this brief review, we summarize recent work regarding the role of microRNAs in the etiopathogenesis of several cholangiopathies, and discuss their utility as prognostic and diagnostic tools.

Keywords: biliary atresia; cholangiocarcinoma; cholangiocytes; microRNAs, cholangiopathies; polycystic liver disease; primary biliary cirrhosis; primary sclerosing cholangitis.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest

Steven O’Hara, Sergio Gradilone Tatyana Masyuk, James Tabibian, and Nicholas LaRusso declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

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