Insight into long noncoding competing endogenous RNA networks in hepatic fibrosis: The potential implications for mechanism and therapy.

Mounting evidence has shown that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) can function as competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) in distinct physiological and pathological states. The activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) is a critical event in the development of hepatic fibrosis (HF). LncRNAs have recently been revealed to be involved in HSC activation as ceRNAs. CeRNA analysis tremendously expands the functional information of proteins, DNA and coding and noncoding RNA. In addition, many validated ceRNA networks, including the traditional ceRNA/mRNA/miRNA, participate in the initiation and progress of HF, and additional work is needed in elucidating the potential of ceRNAs in precancer diagnosis, prognosis and providing new therapeutic methods for HF reversion.