• Hepatocyte apoptosis in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) can lead to fibrosis and cirrhosis, which permanently damage the liver. Understanding the regulation of hepatocyte apoptosis is therefore important to identify therapeutic targets that may prevent the progression of NASH to fibrosis.
• We discovered a liver-specific lncRNA (RP11-484N16.1) on chromosome 18 that showed significantly elevated expression in the liver tissue of NASH patients.
• This lncRNA, correlated with NASH grade , lobular inflammation and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease activity score

Conclusion:

• we identified a lncRNA that can play an important regulatory role in liver function and provide new insights into the regulation of hepatocyte viability in NASH.

More : Hepatology 2017