Gastroenterology - After analysing alterations in miRNA function in mice with colitis, a team of Japanese researchers discovered that inflammatory cytokines reduce the activities of miRNAs contributing to colon carcinogenesis. In fact, the result of their study shows that the administration of an agent that increases miRNA function prevents colon tumor formation in these mice. This mechanism could be used to prevent colon carcinogenesis in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases.

 

Repression of microRNA Function Mediates Inflammation-associated Colon Tumorigenesis

 

Authors: Yoshikawa T, Wu J, Otsuka M, Kishikawa T, Suzuki N, Takata A, Ohno M, Ishibashi R1, Yamagami M, Nakagawa R, Kato N, Miyazawa M, Han J, Koike K.

 

Gastroenterology, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1053/j.gastro.2016.10.043. Published online: November 05,2016