NEW TARGETS OF MIR-29 IN CELL COMMUNICATION DURING LIVER FIBROGENESIS

Aims: MicroRNAs (miRNA) are small noncoding RNAs that regulate gene expression by targeting mRNAs through translational repression or RNA degradation. Since hepatic stellate cells (HSC) represent the central cell type of liver fibrogenesis, we have analysed the miRNA pattern in HSC and demonstrated recently, that miR-29a/b reduce collagen expression in HSC. In the present study, we identified additional targets of miR-29 and investigated the role of miR-29 in fibrogenic cell communication.