Acute liver injury (ALI) is associated with multiple cellular events such as necrosis, apoptosis, oxidative stress and inflammation, which can lead to liver failure. In this study, we demonstrate a new role of microRNA (miR)-208a in ALI. ALI was induced in wild-type (WT) and miR-208a knockout (KO) mice by CCl 4 administration. Increased alanine aminotransferase and decreased hepatic miR-208a levels were found in WT mice after acute CCl 4 treatment. Histopathological evaluations revealed increased necrosis and decreased inflammation in miR-208a KO compared with WT mice after CCl 4 treatment. CCl 4 treatment induced a higher alanine aminotransferase elevation and increased numbers of circulating extracellular vesicles (exosomes and microvesicles) in miR-208a KO compared with WT mice. We found increased CCl 4-induced nuclear factor kappa B activation and tumor necrosis factor-α induction and decreased monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 levels in miR-208a KO compared with WT mice. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick-end labeling assay indicated aggravated hepatic apoptosis and necrosis in CCl 4-treated miR-208a KO compared with WT mice. CCl 4 treatment induced a greater increase in cleaved caspase-8, p18, and caspase-3 in miR-208a KO compared with WT mice. p53 is involved in various cell death pathways, including necrosis and apoptosis. Our in silico analysis revealed p53 as a predicted miR-208a target, and we found enhanced p53 and cyclophilin D protein expressions in miR-208a KO mice after CCl 4 treatment. Increased liver injury in miR-208a KO mice was further associated with increased Bax (B cell lymphoma 2-associated X protein) and p21 expression. Our in vitro results indicated a role of miR-208a in cell death. We found that CCl 4-induced cytotoxicity was partially rescued by miR-208a overexpression in RAW macrophages. Altogether, our results revealed a role of miR-208a in ALI in mice and suggest a role for miR-208a in regulating cell death. (Hepatology Communications 2020;4:1487-1501). A cute liver injury (ALI) is the leading cause of liver failure. (1) Oxidative stress, necrosis, apoptosis, and inflammation are the main events of ALI, which in some cases can lead to the liver failure. Acute liver failure (ALF) can be caused by various etiologies including drugs, viral hepatitis, and ischemia. (1) ALF is a life-threatening condition and has a high mortality rate. (1) Liver transplantation is a life-saving therapy in severe ALF cases. The ALI model of CCl 4 has been used widely in the hepatology field, as it induces oxidative stress, apoptosis, necrosis, inflammation, and fibrosis in mice.