MicroRNA (miRNA) is a family of endogenous,non-coding small RNAs molecules that function as gene regulators.It has been revealed that miRNAs may play a critical role in many biological processes including cell proliferation,differentiation and apoptosis.Recent studies demonstrate that aberrant expression of miRNAs can lead to several human diseases even cancer.These tiny but potent molecules have the function as anti-oncogene or oncogene.Accordingly,further study of miRNAs has opened a novel avenue in the diagnosis and treatment of human cancer.

Objective Using an adenoviral vector , the wild-type PTEN gene was transduced into activated hepatic stellate cell (HSC) in vitro and the phosphorylation status of Akt were investigated. Methods The wild type PTEN gene was transduced into activated HSC in vitro mediated by adenoviral vector. The expressions of PTEN and total Akt in HSC were measured by Western blot and Real-time fluorescent quantitation PCR. And the expressions of phosphorylated Akt (Thr308) in HSC was determined by Western blot. Results The data showed that exogenous wild type PTEN gene was successfully transduced and expressed in activated HSC in vitro. The over-expression of wild type PTEN resulted in the significant down-regulated expression of phosphorylated Akt (Thr308) in activated HSC (P < 0.01). But no significant defferences were found in the expression of total Akt in activated HSC at both transcriptional and translational levels(P>0.50). Conclusions The overexpression of wild-type PTEN can negatively regulate PI3K/Akt signaling transduction by inhibiting the phosphorylation of Akt in activated HSC in vitro.