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Circulating MicroRNAs as Novel Biomarkers of Drug-Induced Liver Injury in Humans

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Book cover Drug-Induced Liver Toxicity

Part of the book series: Methods in Pharmacology and Toxicology ((MIPT))

Abstract

MicroRNAs have become a promising candidate for responding to the need for more specific and sensitive biomarkers for drug-induced liver injury (DILI). These small noncoding RNA molecules exert a regulatory function on biological processes by fine tuning gene expression levels. MicroRNAs are the most abundant and stable class of small RNAs in the cell and they are expressed in a cell type- and organ-specific manner. The expression of miRNAs changes with disease state and cells are actively and/or passively secreting miRNAs into the peripheral circulation. These extracellular, circulating miRNAs have been found to reflect the condition of distant organs. Numerous studies have shown elevated serum levels of miR-122, a liver-enriched miRNA, upon drug-induced hepatotoxicity and as a consequence of other liver injuries. These studies demonstrate the potential use of blood samples as minimally invasive, miRNA based “liquid biopsies,” able to interrogate hepatotoxic mechanisms and liver pathology. The purpose of this review is to summarize the recent advances on miRNA-based biomarker research for drug-induced liver injury.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Toxicogenomics, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands

    Julian Krauskopf, Jos C. Kleinjans & Theo M. de Kok

  2. Department of Toxicogenomics, GROW School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands

    Julian Krauskopf

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  1. Julian Krauskopf
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  2. Jos C. Kleinjans
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  3. Theo M. de Kok
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Correspondence to Julian Krauskopf .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, National Center for Toxicological Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Jefferson, AR, USA

    Minjun Chen

  2. Drug Safety Research and Development, Pfizer Inc., Groton, CT, USA

    Yvonne Will

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Krauskopf, J., Kleinjans, J.C., de Kok, T.M. (2018). Circulating MicroRNAs as Novel Biomarkers of Drug-Induced Liver Injury in Humans. In: Chen, M., Will, Y. (eds) Drug-Induced Liver Toxicity. Methods in Pharmacology and Toxicology. Humana, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-7677-5_28

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