MicroRNAs Play Significant Roles in Pathogenesis of HBV-Related Diseases

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) comprise an important class of small (about 22 nt) conserved nonprotein-coding RNAs that specifically regulate cellular gene expression at the post-transcriptional level. Increasing researches showed that miRNAs have emerged as critical regulators involved in diverse physiological and pathological processes, including such as proliferation, differentiation and development, apoptosis and pathogen-host interactions. This review summarizes the crucial roles of miRNAs in replication of the Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and the mechanism underlying dysregulation of miRNAs in HBV-associated diseases. MiRNAs are emerged as essential regulators of HBV replication and pathogenesis. To a certain extent, miRNA is a new promising biomarker and useful strategy for diagnosis of HBV-related diseases.