Cofactors of LIM Domains Associate with Estrogen Receptor α to Regulate the Expression of Noncoding RNA H19 and Corneal Epithelial Progenitor Cell Function

Tamoxifen exerts anti-peritoneal fibrosis effects by inhibiting H19-activated VEGFA transcription

BACKGROUND

Peritoneal dialysis (PD) remains limited due to dialysis failure caused by peritoneal fibrosis. Tamoxifen (TAM), an inhibitor of estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1), has been reported to treat fibrosis, but the underlying mechanism remains unknown. In this study, we sought to explore whether tamoxifen played an anti-fibrotic role by affecting transcription factor ESR1.

METHODS

ESR1 expression was detected in the human peritoneum. Mice were daily intraperitoneally injected with 4.25% glucose PD dialysate containing 40 mM methylglyoxal for 2 weeks to establish PD-induced peritoneal fibrosis. Tamoxifen was administrated by daily gavage, at the dose of 10 mg/kg. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) and dual-luciferase reporter assay were performed to validate ESR1 bound H19 promoter. Gain-of-function and loss-of-function experiments were performed to investigate the biological roles of H19 on the mesothelial-mesenchymal transition (MMT) of human peritoneal mesothelial cells (HPMCs). Intraperitoneal injection of nanomaterial-wrapped 2'-O-Me-modified small interfering RNA was applied to suppress H19 in the mouse peritoneum. RNA immunoprecipitation and RNA pull-down assays demonstrated binding between H19 and p300. Exfoliated peritoneal cells were obtained from peritoneal dialysis effluent to analyze the correlations between ESR1 (or H19) and peritoneal solute transfer rate (PSTR).

RESULTS

ESR1 was increased significantly in the peritoneum after long-term exposure to PD dialysate. Tamoxifen treatment ameliorated high glucose-induced MMT of HPMCs, improved ultrafiltration rate, and decreased PSTR of mouse peritoneum. Tamoxifen reduced the H19 level by decreasing the ESR1 transcription of H19. Depletion of H19 reversed the pro-fibrotic effect of high glucose while ectopic expression of H19 exacerbated fibrotic pathological changes. Intraperitoneal injection of nanomaterial-wrapped 2'-O-Me-modified siRNAs targeting H19 mitigated PD-related fibrosis in mice. RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) and RNA pull-down results delineated that H19 activated VEGFA expression by binding p300 to the VEGFA promoter and inducing histone acetylation of the VEGFA promoter. ESR1 and H19 were promising targets to predict peritoneal function.

CONCLUSIONS

High glucose-induced MMT of peritoneal mesothelial cells in peritoneal dialysis via activating ESR1. In peritoneal mesothelial cells, ESR1 transcribed the H19 and H19 binds to transcription cofactor p300 to activate the VEGFA. Targeting ESR1/H19/VEGFA pathway provided new hope for patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis.

LIM-domain binding protein 2 was down-regulated by miRNA-96-5p inhibited the proliferation, invasion and metastasis of lung cancer H1299 cells

OBJECTIVES

Lung cancer was one of the most common malignancies around the world. It has great significance in to search for the mechanism of occurrence and development of lung cancer. LIM Domain Binding protein 2 (LDB2) belongs to the LIM-domain binding family, it can be used as a binding protein that combined with other transcription factors to form the transcription complex for regulating the expression of target genes. The expression of microRNA-96-5p (miR-96-5p) has been investigated in various tumors. The aim of this study is to investigate the potential role of LDB2 and miR-96-5p in lung cancer.

METHODS

Real-time quantitative PCR was applied to detect the expression of LDB2 and miR-96-5p. The proliferation, invasion, and metastasis of H1299 cells were analyzed by CCK8, transwell, and wound healing assay after LDB2 or miR-96-5p transfection. Luciferase activities assay and western blot were used to reveal the targeted regulation between LDB2 and miR-96-5p.

RESULTS

Here the authors found LDB2 was down-regulated in lung cancer tissues and negatively correlated with miR-96-5p expression, it could promote or inhibit the proliferation, invasion and metastasis of H1299 cells after LDB2 knockdown or overexpression and regulate the expression of cyclinD1, MMP9, Bcl-2, and Bax via ERK1/2 signaling pathway. Furthermore, miR-96-5p exerted its function by directly binding to 3'-UTR of LDB2 and regulating expression of LDB2. miR-96-5p could promote the proliferation, invasion, and metastasis of H1299 cells.

CONCLUSION

These findings demonstrate that LDB2 can act as a new regulator to inhibit cell proliferation, invasion, and metastasis via the ERK1/2 signaling pathway, and miR-96-5p may be a potential promising molecular by targeting LDB2 in lung cancer.

False-positive IRESes from Hoxa9 and other genes resulting from errors in mammalian 5' UTR annotations

Hyperconserved genomic sequences have great promise for understanding core biological processes. It has been recently proposed that scores of hyperconserved 5' untranslated regions (UTRs), also known as transcript leaders (hTLs), encode internal ribosome entry sites (IRESes) that drive cap-independent translation, in part, via interactions with ribosome expansion segments. However, the direct functional significance of such interactions has not yet been definitively demonstrated. We provide evidence that the putative IRESes previously reported in Hox gene hTLs are rarely included in transcript leaders. Instead, these regions function independently as transcriptional promoters. In addition, we find the proposed RNA structure of the putative Hoxa9 IRES is not conserved. Instead, sequences previously shown to be essential for putative IRES activity encode a hyperconserved transcription factor binding site (E-box) that contributes to its promoter activity and is bound by several transcription factors, including USF1 and USF2. Similar E-box sequences enhance the promoter activities of other putative Hoxa gene IRESes. Moreover, we provide evidence that the vast majority of hTLs with putative IRES activity overlap transcriptional promoters, enhancers, and 3' splice sites that are most likely responsible for their reported IRES activities. These results argue strongly against recently reported widespread IRES-like activities from hTLs and contradict proposed interactions between ribosomal expansion segment ES9S and putative IRESes. Furthermore, our work underscores the importance of accurate transcript annotations, controls in bicistronic reporter assays, and the power of synthesizing publicly available data from multiple sources.

Potential epigenetic molecular regulatory networks in ocular neovascularization

Neovascularization is one of the many manifestations of ocular diseases, including corneal injury and vascular diseases of the retina and choroid. Although anti-VEGF drugs have been used to effectively treat neovascularization, long-term use of anti-angiogenic factors can cause a variety of neurological and developmental side effects. As a result, better drugs to treat ocular neovascularization are urgently required. There is mounting evidence that epigenetic regulation is important in ocular neovascularization. DNA methylation and histone modification, non-coding RNA, and mRNA modification are all examples of epigenetic mechanisms. In order to shed new light on epigenetic therapeutics in ocular neovascularization, this review focuses on recent advances in the epigenetic control of ocular neovascularization as well as discusses these new mechanisms.

Effect of lncRNA H19 on nerve degeneration and regeneration after sciatic nerve injury in rats

Hundreds of millions of people worldwide suffer from peripheral nerve damage resulting from car accidents, falls, industrial accidents, residential accidents, and wars. The purpose of our study was to further investigate the effects of Wallerian degeneration (WD) after rat sciatic nerve injury and to screen for critical long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in WD. We found H19 to be essential for nerve degeneration and regeneration and to be highly expressed in the sciatic nerves of rats with WD. lncRNA H19 potentially impaired the recovery of sciatic nerve function in rats. H19 was mainly localized in the cytoplasm of Schwann cells (SCs) and promoted their migration. H19 promoted the apoptosis of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons and slowed the growth of DRG axons. The lncRNA H19 may play a role in WD through the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and is coexpressed with a variety of crucial mRNAs during WD. These data provide further insight into the molecular mechanisms of WD.

Knockdown of LncRNA SNHG1 Suppresses Corneal Angiogenesis by the Regulation of miR-195-5p/VEGF-A

LncRNA SNHG1 (SNHG1) has been widely studied as the causative factor of angiogenesis and proliferative agent in gastric, lung, cervical, and hepatocellular carcinomas. However, its significance of angiogenesis and progression of corneal neovascularization (CRNV) is least understood. This study focuses on the molecular mechanisms followed by SNHG1 to establish CRNV and its angiogenesis. Bioinformatics analysis to identify potential miRNA targets of SNHG1 and vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) was conducted using StarBase and was subsequently confirmed by the luciferase reporter assay. Relative quantitative expression of SNHG1 in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) was detected through qRT-PCR and western blot analysis. Cell proliferation was detected through CCK-8 assay, whereas migratory abilities of the cells were determined with transwell assay. A capillary-like tube formation assay was performed to detect the tube formation ability of the cells. Following this, relative expression of miR-195-5p and VEGF-A was determined through qRT-PCR and western blot analysis. Results from the experiments manifested upregulated levels of SNHG1 and VEGF-A in HUVECs and CRNV tissues as compared with the control group, whereas downregulated levels of miR-195-5p were measured in the CRNV tissues and HUVECs, suggesting the negative correlation between lncRNA and miRNA. Overexpressed vascular endothelial growth factor promoted cell proliferation and tube formation; however, its silencing leads to inhibition in angiogenesis and proliferation. Potential binding sites of SNHG1 showed miR-195-5p as its direct target and SNHG1 as a sponge for this miRNA. Knockdown and downregulated levels of SNHG1 showed a notable decrease and inhibition in angiogenesis and migration of CRNV cells. The study showed that SNHG1 inhibition significantly reduced cell proliferation, migration, and tube formation in HUVECs transfect with lncRNA SNHG1. Mechanistic insights into the SNHG1 showed that SNHG1 acts as a sponge for miR-195-5p and upregulates the levels of VEGF-A.

Long non-coding RNA H19, a novel therapeutic target for pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is an aggressive malignancy with high mortality, which threats peoples’ health. Unfortunately, the pathogenesis of PDAC remains unclear. Recent studies have indicated that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) can regulate the development and progression of malignant tumors through varying mechanisms. LncRNA H19 has a unique expression profile and can act as a sponger of specific miRNAs to regulate the pathogenic process of many diseases, including PDAC and several other types of cancers. Here, we review the research approaches to understanding the regulatory role of H19 and potential mechanisms in the progression of PDAC and other types of cancers and diseases. These studies suggest that H19 may be a novel therapeutic target for PDAC and our findings may open new revenues for scientific researches and development of valuable therapies for these diseases in the future.

Icariin affects cell cycle progression and proliferation of human retinal pigment epithelial cells via enhancing expression of H19

Background

Aberrant proliferation of retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells under pathologic condition results in the occurrence of proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR). Icariin (ICA)-a flavonol glucoside-has been shown to inhibit proliferation of many cell types, but the effect on RPE cells is unknown. This study aimed to clarify the inhibitory effects of ICA on RPE cells against platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB-induced cell proliferation, and discuss the regulatory function of H19 in RPE cells.

Methods

MTS assay was conducted to determine the effects of ICA on cell proliferation. Flow cytometry analysis was performed to detect cell cycle progression. Quantitative real-time PCR and western blot assay were used to measure the expression patterns of genes in RPE cells.

Results

ICA significantly suppressed PDGF-BB-stimulated RPE cell proliferation in a concentration-dependent manner. Moreover, since administration of ICA induced cell cycle G0/G1 phase arrest, the anti-proliferative activity of ICA may be due to G0/G1 phase arrest in RPE cells. At molecular levels, cell cycle regulators cyclin D1, CDK4, CDK6, p21 and p53 were modulated in response to treatment with ICA. Most importantly, H19 was positively regulated by ICA and H19 depletion could reverse the inhibitory effects of ICA on cell cycle progression and proliferation in PDGF-BB-stimulated RPE cells. Further mechanical explorations showed that H19 knockdown resulted in alternative expressions levels of cyclin D1, CDK4, CDK6, p21 and p53 under ICA treatment.

Conclusions

Our findings revealed that ICA was an effective inhibitor of PDGF-BB-induced RPE cell proliferation through affecting the expression levels of cell cycle-associated factors, and highlighted the potential application of ICA in PVR therapy. H19 was described as a target regulatory gene of ICA whose disruption may contribute to excessive proliferation of RPE cells, suggesting that modulation of H19 expression may be a novel therapeutic approach to treat PVR.

Integrated Analysis of the Altered lncRNAs and mRNAs Expression in 293T Cells after Ionizing Radiation Exposure

Tissue and cell damage caused by ionizing radiation is often highly genotoxic. The swift repair of DNA damage is crucial for the maintenance of genomic stability and normal cell fitness. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been reported to play an important role in many physiological and pathological processes in cells. However, the exact function of lncRNAs in radiation-induced DNA damage has yet to be elucidated. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the potential role of lncRNAs in radiation-induced DNA damage. We examined the expression profiles of lncRNAs and mRNAs in 293T cells with or without 8 Gy irradiation using high-throughput RNA sequencing. We then performed comprehensive transcriptomic and bioinformatic analyses of these sequencing results. A total of 18,990 lncRNAs and 16,080 mRNAs were detected in all samples. At 24 h post irradiation, 49 lncRNAs and 323 mRNAs were differentially expressed between the irradiation group and the control group. qRT-PCR was used to verify the altered expression of six lncRNAs. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses indicated that the predicted genes were mainly involved in the histone mRNA metabolic process and Wnt signaling pathways. This study may provide novel insights for the study of lncRNAs in radiation-induced DNA damage.

Long non-coding RNA H19 promotes corneal neovascularization by targeting microRNA-29c

Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) H19 has been implicated in tumor angiogenesis. However, whether H19 regulates the progression of corneal neovascularization (CNV) is unclear. The present study aimed to determine the function of H19 in CNV and its possible molecular mechanism. Here, we found that the H19 levels were remarkably increased in vascularized corneas and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF)-treated human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). In vitro, H19 up-regulation promoted proliferation, migration, tube formation and vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) expression in HUVECs, and it was found to down-regulate microRNA-29c (miR-29c) expression. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that H19 mediated the above effects by binding directly to miR-29c. In addition, miR-29c expression was markedly reduced in vascularized corneas and its expression also decreased in bFGF-treated HUVECs in vitro. MiR-29c targeted the 3′ untranslated region (3′-UTR) of VEGFA and decreased its expression. These data suggest that H19 can enhance CNV progression by inhibiting miR-29c, which negatively regulates VEGFA. This novel regulatory axis may serve as a potential therapeutic target for CNV.

lncRNA MIAT suppression alleviates corneal angiogenesis through regulating miR-1246/ACE

Corneal neovascularization (CRNV) is a prevalence eye disorder that affects the transparency and refraction properties of eyes. To explore the correlation between the level of Angiotensin II (Ang II) and corneal angiogenesis, the rat model of CRNV was established using alkali-burn, while the human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were stimulated using VEGF to induce the CRNV cells in vitro. RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) and RNA pull-down were performed to validate the relationship between MIAT and miR-1246. The expression of MIAT and Ang II was increased, while miR-1246 was decreased in CRNV rat model. VEGF stimulation significantly promoted cell proliferation and migration of HUVECs, knockdown of MIAT dramatically reversed the effects of VEGF, while cells co-transfected with miR-1246 inhibitor obviously abolished the effect of VEGF+si-MIAT, however, enalaprilat abolished the effects of VEGF+si-MIAT+miR-1246 inhibitor. MIAT directly regulated the expression of miR-1246. In conclusion, VEGF stimulation promoted cell proliferation and migration of HUVECs mainly through regulating MIAT/miR-1246/ACE.

Estrogen receptor β upregulated by lncRNA-H19 to promote cancer stem-like properties in papillary thyroid carcinoma

Estrogen receptor β (ERβ) plays critical roles in thyroid cancer progression. However, its role in thyroid cancer stem cell maintenance remains elusive. Here, we report that ERβ is overexpressed in papillary thyroid cancer stem cells (PTCSCs), whereas ablation of ERβ decreases stemness-related factors expression, diminishes ALDH⁺ cell populations, and suppresses sphere formation ability and tumor growth. Screening estrogen-responsive lncRNAs in PTC spheroid cells, we find that lncRNA-H19 is highly expressed in PTCSCs and PTC tissue specimens, which is correlated with poor overall survival. Mechanistically, estradiol (E2) significantly promotes H19 transcription via ERβ and elevates H19 expression. Silencing of H19 inhibits E2-induced sphere formation ability. Furthermore, H19 acting as a competitive endogenous RNA sequesters miRNA-3126-5p to reciprocally release ERβ expression. ERβ depletion reverses H19-induced stem-like properties upon E2 treatment. Appropriately, ERβ is upregulated in PTC tissue specimens. Notably, aspirin attenuates E2-induced cancer stem-like traits through decreasing both H19 and ERβ expression. Collectively, our findings reveal that ERβ-H19 positive feedback loop has a compelling role in PTCSC maintenance under E2 treatment and provides a potential therapeutic targeting strategy for PTC.

Analysis of changes to lncRNAs and their target mRNAs in murine jejunum after radiation treatment

LncRNAs have been reported to play an important role in various diseases. However, their role in the radiation‐induced intestinal injury is unknown. The goal of the present study was to analyse the potential mechanistic role of lncRNAs in the radiation‐induced intestinal injury. Mice were divided into two groups: Control (non‐irradiated) and irradiated. Irradiated mice were administered 14 Gy of abdominal irradiation (ABI) and were assessed 3.5 days after irradiation. Changes to the jejuna of ABI mice were analysed using RNA‐Seq for alterations to both lncRNA and mRNA. These results were validated using qRT‐PCR. LncRNAs targets were predicted based on analysis of lncRNAs‐miRNAs‐mRNAs interaction. 29 007 lncRNAs and 17 142 mRNAs were detected in the two groups. At 3.5 days post‐irradiation, 91 lncRNAs and 57 lncRNAs were significantly up‐ and downregulated respectively. Similarly, 752 mRNAs and 400 mRNAs were significantly up‐ and downregulated respectively. qRT‐PCR was used to verify the altered expression of four lncRNAs (ENSMUST00000173070, AK157361, AK083183, AK038898) and four mRNAs (Mboat1, Nek10, Ccl24, Cyp2c55). Gene ontology and KEGG pathway analyses indicated the predicted genes were mainly involved in the VEGF signalling pathway. This study reveals that the expression of lncRNAs was altered in the jejuna of mice post‐irradiation. Moreover, it provides a resource for the study of lncRNAs in the radiation‐induced intestinal injury.

LncRNA NEAT1 promotes inflammatory response and induces corneal neovascularization

Human corneal fibroblasts (HCFs) are implicated in corneal neovascularization (CRNV). The mechanisms underlying the inflammatory response in HCFs and the development of CRNV were explored in this study. Alkali burns were applied to the corneas of rats to establish a CRNV model. The expression of long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) nuclear enriched abundant transcript 1 (NEAT1) and mRNA and protein levels of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB)- activating protein (NKAP) were examined by quantitative real-time (qRT-PCR) and Western blot methods, respectively. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is used to stimulate HCFs for inflammatory response. The level of inflammation factors in HCF supernatant was detected using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Binding and interactions between NEAT1 and miRNA 1246 (miR-1246) were determined by RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) and RNA pull-down assays in HCFs. Compared with the control group (n = 6), NEAT1 was upregulated in the corneas of the CRNV rat model (n = 6). The expression of NEAT1 in HCFs was upregulated by LPS. Downregulation of NEAT1 suppressed the secretion of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). NEAT1 could bind and interact with miR-1246. LPS regulated the expression of NKAP and NF-κB signaling via the NEAT1/miR-1246 pathway. Downregulation of NEAT1 in vivo inhibited CRNV progression in the CRNV rat model. The lncRNA NEAT1 induced secretion of inflammatory factors, mediated by NF-κB, by targeting miR-1246, thereby promoting CRNV progression.

LncRNAs and their role in cancer stem cells

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) play a vital role in the formation of tumors and have been studied as a target of anticancer therapy. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are important in the genesis and progression of cancer. Various lncRNAs, such as ROR, HOTAIR, H19, UCA1, and ARSR, are involved in cancer stemness. These lncRNAs could regulate the expression of CSC-related transcriptional factors, such as SOX2, OCT4, and NANOG, in colorectal, prostate, bladder, breast, liver, and other cancer types. In this work, we review the progress of lncRNAs and cancer stem cells and discuss the potential signal pathways of lncRNAs in cancer stemness.

Characterization of enhancers and the role of the transcription factor KLF7 in regulating corneal epithelial differentiation

During tissue development, transcription factors bind regulatory DNA regions called enhancers, often located at great distances from the genes they regulate, to control gene expression. The enhancer landscape during embryonic stem cell differentiation has been well characterized. By contrast, little is known about the shared and unique enhancer regulatory mechanisms in different ectodermally derived epithelial cells. Here we use ChIP sequencing (ChIP-seq) to identify domains enriched for the histone marks histone H3 lysine 4 trimethylation, histone H3 lysine 4 monomethylation, and histone H3 lysine 27 acetylation (H3K4me3, H3K4me1, and H3K27ac) and define, for the first time, the super enhancers and typical enhancers active in primary human corneal epithelial cells. We show that regulatory regions are often shared between cell types of the ectodermal lineage and that corneal epithelial super enhancers are already marked as potential regulatory domains in embryonic stem cells. Kruppel-like factor (KLF) motifs were enriched in corneal epithelial enhancers, consistent with the important roles of KLF4 and KLF5 in promoting corneal epithelial differentiation. We now show that the Kruppel family member KLF7 promotes the corneal progenitor cell state; on many genes, KLF7 antagonized the corneal differentiation-promoting KLF4. Furthermore, we found that two SNPs linked previously to corneal diseases, astigmatism, and Stevens-Johnson syndrome fall within corneal epithelial enhancers and alter their activity by disrupting transcription factor motifs that overlap these SNPs. Taken together, our work defines regulatory enhancers in corneal epithelial cells, highlights global gene-regulatory relationships shared among different epithelial cells, identifies a role for KLF7 as a KLF4 antagonist in corneal epithelial cell differentiation, and explains how two SNPs may contribute to corneal diseases.

The role of long noncoding RNA H19 in gender disparity of cholestatic liver injury in multidrug resistance 2 gene knockout mice

The multidrug resistance 2 knockout (Mdr2^-/- ) mouse is a well-established model of cholestatic cholangiopathies. Female Mdr2^-/- mice develop more severe hepatobiliary damage than male Mdr2^-/- mice, which is correlated with a higher proportion of taurocholate in the bile. Although estrogen has been identified as an important player in intrahepatic cholestasis, the underlying molecular mechanisms of gender-based disparity of cholestatic injury remain unclear. The long noncoding RNA H19 is an imprinted, maternally expressed, and estrogen-targeted gene, which is significantly induced in human fibrotic/cirrhotic liver and bile duct-ligated mouse liver. However, whether aberrant expression of H19 accounts for gender-based disparity of cholestatic injury in Mdr2^-/- mice remains unknown. The current study demonstrated that H19 was markedly induced (∼200-fold) in the livers of female Mdr2^-/- mice at advanced stages of cholestasis (100 days old) but not in age-matched male Mdr2^-/- mice. During the early stages of cholestasis, H19 expression was minimal. We further determined that hepatic H19 was mainly expressed in cholangiocytes, not hepatocytes. Both taurocholate and estrogen significantly activated the extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 signaling pathway and induced H19 expression in cholangiocytes. Knocking down H19 not only significantly reduced taurocholate/estrogen-induced expression of fibrotic genes and sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor 2 in cholangiocytes but also markedly reduced cholestatic injury in female Mdr2^-/- mice. Furthermore, expression of small heterodimer partner was substantially inhibited at advanced stages of liver fibrosis, which was reversed by H19 short hairpin RNA in female Mdr2^-/- mice. Similar findings were obtained in human primary sclerosing cholangitis liver samples.

CONCLUSION

H19 plays a critical role in the disease progression of cholestasis and represents a key factor that causes the gender disparity of cholestatic liver injury in Mdr2^-/- mice. (Hepatology 2017;66:869-884).