Recent perspectives on the role of microRNAs of the miR-15 family in liver disease

Since their recent discovery, microRNAs (miRNAs), a class of short endogenous non-coding RNAs, have gained substantial research attention for their critical roles in a broad range of physiologic and pathogenic processes. Under normal physiological conditions, the miR-15 family members regulate several important cellular functions, including apoptosis, cell differentiation, cell cycle, and stress responses. However, under pathological conditions, the miR-15 family members contribute to carcinogenesis, cardiovascular dysfunctions, and neurodegeneration; these activities may represent potentially useful targets of molecular therapeutic strategies. In this review, we summarize and discuss the important functions and promising therapeutic applications of the miR-15 family in liver cancer, acute liver failure, liver fibrosis, and liver damage.