title: MiR-22 Suppresses BMP7 in the Development of Cirrhosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  New strategies for the prevention and treatment of cirrhosis are urgently needed for improving therapeutic outcome. A role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in the pathogenesis of cirrhosis has been recently acknowledged, whereas the exact involved miRNAs as well as the associated molecular signaling pathways have not been determined. Specifically, the studies on the relationship between miR-22 and bone morphogenic protein 7 (BMP7) in the development of cirrhosis are lacking.
  
  
  METHODS
  We examined the correlation of the levels of miR-22 and bone morphogenic protein 7 (BMP7) in the liver biopsies from patients with cirrhosis. We examined overexpression or suppression of miR-22 on BMP7 in hepatocytes. We examined the binding of miR-22 to the 3'-UTR of BMP7 mRNA. Finally, in a carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced cirrhosis model in mice, we gave mice adeno-associated viruses carrying antisense of miR-22, and examined its effects on BMP7 levels and the hallmarks of cirrhosis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The levels of miR-22 and BMP7 in the liver biopsies from patients were strongly and inversely correlated. MiR-22 inhibited BMP7 expression in hepatocytes, through directly binding the 3'-UTR of BMP7 mRNA. Expression of antisense miR-22 significantly attenuated the levels of liver fibrosis, portal hypertension and sodium retention caused by CCl4, possibly through upregulation of BMP7.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MiR-22 promotes the development of cirrhosis through BMP7 suppression.
authors.affiliation: Liver Fibrosis Diagnosis and Treatment Center, 302 Hospital of PLA, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Dong
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ji
authors.forename: Bing
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Qing
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Shao
authors.forename: Fan
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Zhongbin
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Guofeng
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D020413:3' Untranslated Regions; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D055419:Bone Morphogenetic Protein 7 / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D002251:Carbon Tetrachloride; D000229:Dependovirus / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D017930:Genes, Reporter; D005822:Genetic Vectors / Q000008:administration & dosage; D056945:Hep G2 Cells; D006801:Humans; D006975:Hypertension, Portal / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D008156:Luciferases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D008875:Middle Aged; D016376:Oligonucleotides, Antisense / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015398:Signal Transduction
chemical_list: D020413:3' Untranslated Regions; C525819:BMP7 protein, human; D055419:Bone Morphogenetic Protein 7; C548375:MIRN22 microRNA, human; D035683:MicroRNAs; D016376:Oligonucleotides, Antisense; D002251:Carbon Tetrachloride; D008156:Luciferases