Down-regulation of miR-23b may contribute to activation of the TGF-β1/Smad3 signalling pathway during the termination stage of liver regeneration.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are known to play important roles in liver regeneration, although the role of miRNAs associated with the termination of liver regeneration is not as well studied. Here we reported the down-regulation of miR-23b in the termination stage of liver regeneration in rats. In addition, Smad3 was identified as a target of miR-23b during liver regeneration. Up-regulation of miR-23b promoted BRL-3A cell proliferation and partially inhibited transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1-induced apoptosis. Furthermore, TGF-β1 transcriptionally inhibited miR-23b expression. We conclude that down-regulation of miR-23b may contribute to activation of the TGF-β1/Smad3 signalling pathway during the termination stage of liver regeneration.