Purpose of review: To highlight the increasing evidence supporting the concept that microRNAs (miRNAs) are involved in the cause and pathogenesis of cholestatic liver disorders.
Recent findings: miRNAs play a key role in maintaining bile acid homeostasis and modulating pathological processes associated to liver cholestasis, such as proliferation, apoptosis, fibrosis and cancer. Changes in the expression level of specific miRNAs have been reported in serum, peripheral blood mononuclear cells or liver tissue from patients suffering from chronic cholestatic liver diseases, such as primary biliary cirrhosis.
Summary: Although our understanding regarding the role of miRNAs in the development and progression of cholestatic liver diseases is still limited, in the present review, we have revised and discussed the recent information that has emerged on the role of miRNAs in the secretory function of the liver under physiological and pathological conditions. This has led to suggest their potential usefulness as biomarkers for the diagnosis and monitoring of cholestatic liver diseases, as well as tools for the development of novel therapeutic strategies.