The roles of miRNAs in liver diseases

Liver, the largest internal organ in vertebrates, plays an essential role in metabolic processes in the body. Many factors, such as viruses and alcohol, can lead to function disorders or even liver failure. Every year more than a million patients suffer from various liver diseases. miRNAs have evolved as important regulators in in liver development, homeostasis, dysfunction, and regeneration. Increasing evidences have shown that miRNAs play an important role in various liver diseases, including acute liver failure (ALF), chronic liver failure as well as liver carcinoma. In this review, we update the roles of miRNAs in liver regeneration, fibrosis and cancer.