Role of long non-coding RNAs in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is emerging as a common cause of chronic liver disease in children and adults. NAFLD can progress to steatohepatitis and potentially even hepatocellular carcinoma. Early identification of patients at risk for progressive disease is crucial for managing NAFLD. Recent studies have identified long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), circular RNAs, and microRNAs as playing important roles in the pathogenesis of NAFLD. These noncoding RNAs are involved in modulating several metabolic pathways such as hepatic glucose and lipid metabolism, oxidative stress, and even carcinogenesis. Elevated levels of lncARSR and lncRNA nuclear-enriched abundant transcript 1 have been found in patients with NAFLD. In addition, lncRNAs such as PRYP4-3 and RP11-128N14.5 can distinguish patients with NAFLD from healthy individuals. Increased MEG3 expression has been observed in both NAFLD and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, suggesting that it may help predict patients at risk for disease progression. With advances in transcriptomics, we may discover additional targets to help in the identification and prognostication of NAFLD.