The Role of MicroRNA Networks in Alcohol-associated Liver Disease
10.52927/jdcr.2026.14.1.67
- Author:
Seol Hee PARK
1
;
Wonhyo SEO
Author Information
1. Department of Companion Animal Health, Hanyang Women’s University, Seoul, Korea
- Publication Type:SPECIAL ISSUE (REVIEW ARTICLE)
- From:
Journal of Digestive Cancer Research
2026;14(1):67-81
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD) encompasses a progressive pathological spectrum, ranging from steatosis to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Its development is driven by complex interactions among ethanol metabolism, oxidative stress, inflammation, fibrogenesis, and gut-liver axis dysregulation. Emerging evidence indicates that microRNAs (miRNAs) function as key posttranscriptional regulators that integrate metabolic reprogramming, immune responses, and fibrogenic signaling during ALD progression. This review summarizes the current understanding of miRNA biology and highlights their roles in lipid metabolism, oxidative stress responses, innate immune activation, and hepatic stellate cell-mediated fibrosis. Particular attention is given to context-dependent miRNAs, including miR-122, miR-34a, miR-155, miR-21, and the miR-29 family, whose functional effects vary by cell type and disease stage. We further discuss extracellular vesicles and exosome-associated miRNAs as mediators of intercellular communication and as minimally invasive biomarkers that reflect liver-derived injury signals rather than disease-specific signatures. Circulating miR-122 and miR-192 exemplify this concept, emphasizing the need for multi-miRNA panels integrated with clinical parameters to improve diagnostic specificity. Furthermore, therapeutic strategies targeting miRNAs―such as miRNA mimics, antagomirs, and locked nucleic acid inhibitors―have demonstrated promising preclinical efficacy in modulating steatosis, inflammation, and fibrosis. However, challenges such as off-target effects, delivery efficiency, and cell-type specificity remain major barriers to clinical translation. Overall, miRNAs represent a central molecular layer linking metabolic stress, immune dysregulation, and fibrogenesis in ALD. Future integration of multiomics and cell-specific delivery technologies might enable precision medicine approaches that leverage miRNA networks for early diagnosis and targeted therapy in ALD.
