Abstract: Objective · To explore the biological role of miR-214 in the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and the procession of liver fibrosis and its possible mechanism. Methods · Quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) was used to detect the expression of miR-214 in the activation of HSCs and the progression of liver fibrosis in rats induced by CCl4 (liver fibrosis model). HSC-T6 cells were treated with lentivirus infection and divided into miR-214 overexpression group, miR-214 knockout group and negative control lentivirus group (mock group). qPCR and Western blotting were used to detect the gene and protein expression levels of collagen type 1 (COL1) and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) in the three groups, respectively. Transwell assay and flow cytometry were used to detect the migration and apoptosis of HSCs in the three groups, respectively. Double luciferase reporter gene assay was used to detect weather Hif1an was the target gene of miR-214, and then qPCR and Western blotting were used to detect the expression levels of HIF1AN in the three groups, the activation of HSCs and the liver fibrosis model. Results · miR-214 was upregulated during HSCs activation and the progression of liver fibrosis (both P<0.05). Compared with the mock group, the gene and protein expressions of COL1 and α-SMA in the miR-214 overexpression group were increased, and HSCs migration ability was increased and apoptosis rate was decreased (all P<0.05); the expressions of COL1 and α-SMA in the miR-214 knockdown group were decreased, and HSCs migration ability was decreased (all P<0.05). Double luciferase reporter gene assay showed that Hif1an was the target gene of miR-214. Compared with the mock group, the gene and protein expressions of HIF1AN in the miR-214 overexpression group were decreased (both P<0.05), and those in the miR-214 knockdown group were increased (both P<0.05). The expression of HIF1AN was decreased during HSCs activation and the progression of liver fibrosis (all P<0.05). Conclusion · miR-214 may promote the migration and activation of HSCs by targeting Hif1an, and then promote the progression of liver fibrosis, suggesting that miR-214 may be a new marker and potential target for the treatment of liver fibrosis.

Key words: miR-214, hepatic stellate cell activation, liver fibrosis, migration