Hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation is a pivotal event in initiation and progression of hepatic fibrosis and a major contributor to collagen deposition driven by transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ). microRNAs (miRs), small non-coding RNAs modulating mRNA and protein expression, have emerged as key regulatory molecules in chronic liver disease. We investigated differentially expressed miRs in quiescent and activated HSCs to identify novel regulators of profibrotic TGFβ signaling. miR microarray analysis was performed on quiescent and activated rat HSCs. Members of the miR-17-92 cluster (19a, 19b, 92a) were significantly down-regulated in activated HSCs. Since miR 19b showed the highest fold-change of the cluster members, activated HSCs were transfected with miR 19b mimic or negative control and TGFβ signaling and HSC activation assessed. miR 19b expression was determined in fibrotic rat and human liver specimens. miR 19b mimic negatively regulated TGFβ signaling components demonstrated by decreased TGFβ receptor II (TGFβRII) and SMAD3 expression. Computational prediction of miR 19b binding to the 3’UTR of TGFβRII was validated by luciferase reporter assay. Inhibition of TGFβ signaling by miR 19b was confirmed by decreased expression of type I collagen and by blocking TGFβ-induced expression of α1(I) and α2(I) procollagen mRNAs. miR 19b blunted the activated HSC phenotype by morphological assessment and decreased αSMA expression. Additionally, miR 19b expression was markedly diminished in fibrotic rat liver compared to normal liver; similarly, miR 19b expression was markedly down-regulated in fibrotic compared to normal human livers
