MiR-222 Overexpression May Contribute to Liver Fibrosis in Biliary Atresia by Targeting PPP2R2A. Issue 1 (January 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dong, Rui; Zheng, Yijie; Chen, Gong; Zhao, Rui; Zhou, Zhijian; Zheng, Shan
• Is Part Of: Journal of pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition. Volume 60:Issue 1(2015)
• Publication Date: 2015-01
• Subjects: Children -- Nutrition -- Periodicals; Pediatric gastroenterology -- Periodicals; Infants -- Nutrition -- Periodicals; Nutrition disorders in children -- Periodicals; Child Nutrition -- Periodicals; Digestive System -- growth & development -- Periodicals; Gastrointestinal Diseases -- Periodicals; Infant Nutrition -- Periodicals; Nutrition Disorders -- Periodicals; Child; 618.923
• DOI: 10.1097/MPG.0000000000000573
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0277-2116

Abstract

<abstract> <title>ABSTRACT</title> <sec> <title>Objective:</title> <p>Biliary atresia (BA) is a devastating liver disease in infants. Progressive hepatic fibrosis is often observed in postoperative patients with BA even after a successful Kasai portoenterostomy procedure. MicroRNA-222 (miRNA) has been linked to the activation of stellate cells and the progression of liver fibrosis.</p> </sec> <sec> <title>Methods:</title> <p>In this study, the miR-222 expression profile in BA and infants with anicteric choledochal cyst (CC) was determined. The functional effect of miR-222 inhibition on the growth of the human hepatic stellate cell line LX-2 was also evaluated. The downstream signaling pathways and target of miR-222 were determined by coupling gene expression profiling and pathway analysis and by in silico prediction, respectively. In addition, we demonstrated miR-222 overexpression in patients with BA compared with choledochal cyst controls.</p> </sec> <sec> <title>Results:</title> <p>Inhibition of miR-222 in the LX-2 cell line significantly decreased cell proliferation. We also identified protein phosphatase 2A subunit B as a target of miR-222. The downstream signaling pathway, Akt, was also influenced by miR-222. A consistent reduction of Akt phosphorylation and Ki67 in the LX-2 line was shown following miR-222 suppression.</p> </sec> <sec> <title>Conclusions:</title> <p>Our results show that miR-222 overexpression is common in BA and contributes to LX-2 cell proliferation by targeting protein phosphatase 2A subunit B and Akt signaling.</p> </sec> </abstract>