microRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of non-coding functional small RNA composed of 21–23 nucleotides, having multiple associations with liver fibrosis. Fibrosis-associated miRNAs are roughly classified into pro-fibrosis or anti-fibrosis types. The former is capable of activating hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) by modulating pro-fibrotic signaling pathways, mainly including TGF-β/SMAD, WNT/β-catenin, and Hedgehog; the latter is responsible for maintenance of the quiescent phenotype of normal HSCs, phenotypic reversion of activated HSCs (aHSCs), inhibition of HSCs proliferation and suppression of the extracellular matrix-associated gene expression. Moreover, several miRNAs are involved in regulation of liver fibrosis via alternative mechanisms, such as interacting between hepatocytes and other liver cells via exosomes and increasing autophagy of aHSCs. Thus, understanding the role of these miRNAs may provide new avenues for the development of novel interventions against hepatic fibrosis.

microRNA (miRNA) 是一类由 21-23 个核苷酸组成的非编码功能性小 RNA，与肝纤维化具有多种关联。纤维化相关 miRNA 大致分为促纤维化和抗纤维化类型。前者能够通过调节促纤维化信号通路来激活肝星状细胞（HSC），主要包括TGF-β/SMAD、WNT/β-catenin和Hedgehog；后者负责维持正常 HSC 的静止表型、活化 HSC (aHSC) 的表型逆转、抑制 HSC 增殖和抑制细胞外基质相关基因表达。此外，一些 miRNA 通过替代机制参与肝纤维化的调节，例如肝细胞与其他肝细胞之间通过外泌体相互作用以及增加 aHSC 的自噬。