Liver-specific miR-122 does not affect mRNA levels of cytochrome P450 enzymes and nuclear receptors in primary rat hepatocyte cultures

Primary hepatocyte cultures suffer from the loss of xenobiotic biotransformation capacity as a function of culture time. Over the years, the different strategies developed to phenotypically stabilize these cultures have met with limited success. In the present study, we evaluate the modulation of microRNA (miRNA, miR,which are major determinants of gene expression at the post-transcriptional level, as a novel stabilization approach in this respect. miR-122, an acknowledged liver-specific miRNA species, was either overexpressed or inhibited, and the outcome on mRNA levels of cytochrome P450 enzymes and nuclear receptors was investigated. However, no persistent effects could be observed, suggesting that miRNA species other than miR-122 should be tested for their potential to serve as a target for innovative stabilization efforts in cultures of primary hepatocytes.