MicroRNA-feedback loop as a key modulator of liver tumorigenesis and inflammation

Figure 1 From transient hepatocyte nuclear factor-4α inhibition to stable hepatocyte transformation. The transient inhibition of hepatocyte nuclear factor-4α (HNF-4α) following miR-24 and miR-629 induction promotes stable repression of the pro-tumorigenic HNF-4α feedback circuit. This results in miR-124 inhibition, followed by an increase in interleukin (IL)-6 secretion and IL-6R expression. These two events lead to hyperphosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), which auto-amplifies the process through the re-induction of miR-24 and miR-629.