microRNAs: fad or future of liver disease.

microRNAs (miRs) are small non-coding RNAs that regulate both mRNA and protein expression of target genes, which results in alterations in mRNA stability or translation inhibition. miRs influence at least one third of all human transcripts and are known regulators of various important cellular growth and differentiation factors. miRs have recently emerged as key regulatory molecules in chronic liver disease. This review details recent contributions to the field of miRs that influence liver development and the broad spectrum of disease, from non-alcoholic fatty liver disease to fibrosis/cirrhosis, with particular emphasis on hepatic stellate cells and potential use of miRs as therapeutic tools.