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The pan-PPAR agonist lanifibranor improves cardiometabolic health in patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis
Cardiovascular events are the main cause of mortality in patients with metabolic dysfunctionassociated steatohepatitis (MASH). Here, the authors show that lanifibranor improves cardiometabolic health - insulin sensitivity, lipid and glucose metabolism, systemic inflammation and hepatic steatosis.
- Michael P. Cooreman
- , Javed Butler
- & Sven M. Francque
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Article
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Circulating fatty acids and risk of hepatocellular carcinoma and chronic liver disease mortality in the UK Biobank
Different fatty acids have been associated to liver diseases. Here, the authors show that plasma levels of different circulating fatty acids are either negatively or positively associated with the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma and chronic liver disease mortality in the UK Biobank cohort.
- Zhening Liu
- , Hangkai Huang
- & Chengfu Xu
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Inhibition of urease-mediated ammonia production by 2-octynohydroxamic acid in hepatic encephalopathy
Hepatic encephalopathy is a severe complication of liver disease with a growing prevalence. Here, the authors present a hydroxamate-based urease inhibitor to target the production of intestinal ammonia, one of the contributors to the pathogenesis of hepatic encephalopathy.
- Diana Evstafeva
- , Filip Ilievski
- & Jean-Christophe Leroux
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Inhibition of 7-dehydrocholesterol reductase prevents hepatic ferroptosis under an active state of sterol synthesis
Ferroptosis has been connected to liver disease through unclear mechanisms. Here, the authors identify the terminal enzyme of cholesterol synthesis, 7-dehydrocholesterol reductase, as a regulator of ferroptosis in hepatocytes that suppresses ferroptosis through 7-dehydrocholesterol accumulation.
- Naoya Yamada
- , Tadayoshi Karasawa
- & Masafumi Takahashi
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Sonic hedgehog-heat shock protein 90β axis promotes the development of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis in mice
The mechanistic involvement of sonic hedgehog signaling in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis is not clear. Here, the authors show that sonic hedgehog protein regulates the stability of HSP90β, enabling hepatocytes to secrete exosomes containing miR-28-5-p to promote NASH development.
- Weitao Zhang
- , Junfeng Lu
- & Xiaojun Xu
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A multicenter clinical AI system study for detection and diagnosis of focal liver lesions
Early detection and accurate diagnosis of focal liver lesions are crucial for effective treatment and prognosis. Here, the authors present a fully automated diagnostic system that leverages multi-phase CT scans and clinical features, for diagnosing liver lesions.
- Hanning Ying
- , Xiaoqing Liu
- & Xiujun Cai
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Fatty acid synthesis suppresses dietary polyunsaturated fatty acid use
Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (PUFA), such as omega-3 fatty acids, are recognized for their lipid lowering and anti-inflammatory properties. Here, the authors show that endogenous lipid synthesis controls the use of PUFA and thus determine the therapeutic benefit of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation.
- Anna Worthmann
- , Julius Ridder
- & Christian Schlein
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Cdo1-Camkk2-AMPK axis confers the protective effects of exercise against NAFLD in mice
The role of Cdo1 in exercise-mediated metabolic health and NAFLD is not clear. Here, the authors show that hepatic Cdo1 tethers Camkk2 to AMPK by interacting with both of them, thereby activating AMPK signaling to blunt hepatosteatosis and to promote exercise-mediated alleviation of NAFLD in mice.
- Min Chen
- , Jie-Ying Zhu
- & Liang Guo
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Article
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Binge-pattern alcohol consumption and genetic risk as determinants of alcohol-related liver disease
Deaths from alcohol-related liver disease have sharply increased following the Covid-19 pandemic. Here, the authors show that binge-pattern alcohol consumption, genetic factors and the presence of diabetes mellitus confer the greatest risk, allowing targeted interventions for high-risk individuals.
- Chengyi Ding
- , Linda Ng Fat
- & Gautam Mehta
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Senescence-associated 13-HODE production promotes age-related liver steatosis by directly inhibiting catalase activity
Polyunsaturated fatty acid-derived bioactive lipids play critical roles as signalling molecules in metabolic processes. Here, the author show 13-HODE produced by senescent hepatocytes and macrophages activates SREBP1 by directly inhibiting CAT activity and promotes age-related steatosis.
- Jinjie Duan
- , Wenhui Dong
- & Chunjiong Wang
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Intestinal Atp8b1 dysfunction causes hepatic choline deficiency and steatohepatitis
Choline is an essential nutrient derived primarily from dietary phosphatidylcholine, and its deficiency causes steatohepatitis. Here, the authors show that intestinal Atp8b1 contributes to choline metabolism through lysoPC absorption and that its dysfunction causes choline deficiency and steatohepatitis.
- Ryutaro Tamura
- , Yusuke Sabu
- & Hisamitsu Hayashi
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ZHX2 emerges as a negative regulator of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation during acute liver injury
Mitochondria dysfunction contributes to acute liver injuries. Zhang et al. find that Zhx2 deletion enhances mitochondrial function by promoting electron transport chain gene expression via PGC-1α dependent and independent manner.
- Yankun Zhang
- , Yuchen Fan
- & Chunhong Ma
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A randomised Phase IIa trial of amine oxidase copper-containing 3 (AOC3) inhibitor BI 1467335 in adults with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis
The authors report data from a Phase IIa randomised, double-blind trial in patients with NASH showing that BI 1467335 strongly and dose-dependently inhibited AOC3 activity (involved in hepatic inflammation) and was well tolerated at all tested doses.
- Philip N. Newsome
- , Arun J. Sanyal
- & Eric Lawitz
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RING finger protein 13 protects against nonalcoholic steatohepatitis by targeting STING-relayed signaling pathways
The STING-relayed inflammation response has been increasingly identified as one of the key drivers of NAFLD progression. Here the authors show that an E3 ubiquitin ligase, RNF13, can ameliorate NAFLD phenotypes by facilitating the TRIM29-mediated degradation of STING.
- Zhibin Lin
- , Peijun Yang
- & Lin Wang
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ZSP1601, a novel pan-phosphodiesterase inhibitor for the treatment of NAFLD, A randomized, placebo-controlled phase Ib/IIa trial
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is a growing health burden with limited treatment options worldwide. Herein the authors report a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multiple-dose trial of a first-in-class pan-phosphodiesterase inhibitor ZSP1601 in NAFLD patients.
- Yue Hu
- , Haijun Li
- & Yanhua Ding
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Tripartite motif containing 26 prevents steatohepatitis progression by suppressing C/EBPδ signalling activation
Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a heterogeneous disease with complicated pathogenesis. Here the authors identify that the E3 ligase TRIM26 confers protection against NASH development via suppression of CCAAT/enhancer binding protein delta (C/EBPδ).
- Minxuan Xu
- , Jun Tan
- & Lianyi Han
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Fibroblast growth factor 18 stimulates the proliferation of hepatic stellate cells, thereby inducing liver fibrosis
Fibroblast growth factor (FGF)18 plays pleiotropic roles, including bone development and carcinogenesis, however, its precise role in liver fibrosis remains incompletely understood. Here, the authors show that FGF18 promotes liver fibrosis by stimulating hepatic stellate cell proliferation, without concomitant upregulation of profibrotic genes.
- Yuichi Tsuchiya
- , Takao Seki
- & Hiroyasu Nakano
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URI alleviates tyrosine kinase inhibitors-induced ferroptosis by reprogramming lipid metabolism in p53 wild-type liver cancers
Despite being a promising treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), resistance to tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) present a major obstacle. Here, the authors demonstrate that lipid metabolism reprogramming via URI mediated stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 upregulation present a targetable driver of sorafenib resistance in HCC.
- Zhiwen Ding
- , Yufei Pan
- & Lu Wang
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Hyodeoxycholic acid ameliorates nonalcoholic fatty liver disease by inhibiting RAN-mediated PPARα nucleus-cytoplasm shuttling
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is often linked to disrupted bile acid homeostasis. Here, the authors show hyodeoxycholic acid (HDCA) ameliorates nonalcoholic fatty liver disease by inhibiting the formation of RAN/CRM1/PPARα nuclear export heterotrimer, resulting in increased nuclear localization of PPARα and activated fatty acid oxidation.
- Jing Zhong
- , Xiaofang He
- & Houkai Li
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Practical diagnosis of cirrhosis in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease using currently available non-invasive fibrosis tests
The practical rules for the early non-invasive diagnosis of cirrhosis in NAFLD are not well defined. Here, the authors develop and validate two diagnostic tools: a stepwise stratification algorithm including a cirrhosis group, and a risk prediction chart providing a personalized assessment of the individual probability of cirrhosis.
- Jérôme Boursier
- , Marine Roux
- & Philip N. Newsome
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USP25 regulates KEAP1-NRF2 anti-oxidation axis and its inactivation protects acetaminophen-induced liver injury in male mice
The redox status of a cell is regulated through a number of mechanisms, chief among these is the KEAP1-mediated ubiquitination and degradation of NRF2. Here the authors show that KEAP1 itself is ubiquitinated and degraded in a process that is opposed by the ubiquitin-specific protease USP25.
- Changzhou Cai
- , Huailu Ma
- & Jiewei Wang
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Bacteriophage therapy against pathological Klebsiella pneumoniae ameliorates the course of primary sclerosing cholangitis
Patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) harboring Klebsiella pneumoniae (Kp) exhibit poor clinical outcomes. Here, the authors show that administration of a phage cocktail targeting PSC-derived Kp reduces bacterial burden in Kp-colonized mice and alleviates liver injury.
- Masataka Ichikawa
- , Nobuhiro Nakamoto
- & Takanori Kanai
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Bacteriophage targeting microbiota alleviates non-alcoholic fatty liver disease induced by high alcohol-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae
Previous studies have shown that high alcohol-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae (HiAlc Kpn) in the intestinal microbiome could be one of the causes of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Here, the authors show the effectiveness of phage in mice with HiAlc Kpn-induced NAFLD indicating phage therapy targeting gut microbiota may be an alternative to antibiotics, with potential efficacy and safety.
- Lin Gan
- , Yanling Feng
- & Jing Yuan
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Ligand dependent interaction between PC-TP and PPARδ mitigates diet-induced hepatic steatosis in male mice
Deletion of PC-TP has many beneficial effects, mostly ascribed to its role in regulating THEM2. Here, the authors show a novel interaction between PC-TP and PPARδ that explains aspects of the beneficial metabolic phenotype associated with PC-TP deletion.
- Samuel A. Druzak
- , Matteo Tardelli
- & Eric A. Ortlund
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Lysosomal-associated protein transmembrane 5 ameliorates non-alcoholic steatohepatitis by promoting the degradation of CDC42 in mice
Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) has received great attention due to its high incidence, but the underlying mechanism remains poorly understood. Here, the authors show LAPTM5 expression ameliorates NASH and can potentially serve as a biological marker indicative of NASH progression.
- Lang Jiang
- , Jing Zhao
- & Jiahong Xia
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Article
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Restoration of lysosomal acidification rescues autophagy and metabolic dysfunction in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
In NAFLD, high levels of fatty acids in the liver impair lysosomal acidification. Here, the authors report the synthesis of novel biodegradable acid-activated acidifying nanoparticles that re-acidify lysosomes, restore autophagy, and reverse fasting hyperglycemia and hepatic steatosis in fat mice.
- Jialiu Zeng
- , Rebeca Acin-Perez
- & Mark W. Grinstaff
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MAIT cell inhibition promotes liver fibrosis regression via macrophage phenotype reprogramming
Liver cirrhosis is characterised by extensive fibrosis of the liver, and understanding the underpinning immunological processes is important in designing intervention. Here authors show that Mucosal-Associated Invariant T cells are instrumental to controlling the balance between profibrogenic and restorative macrophages and inhibiting their activation might reverse liver fibrosis.
- Morgane Mabire
- , Pushpa Hegde
- & Sophie Lotersztajn
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Parabacteroides distasonis ameliorates hepatic fibrosis potentially via modulating intestinal bile acid metabolism and hepatocyte pyroptosis in male mice
Parabacteroides distasonis (P. distasonis), part of the gut microbiome, was reported to play a role in diabetes, colorectal cancer and inflammatory bowel disease. Here the authors report that P. distasonis ameliorates liver fibrosis in studies with male mice, potentially via altered bile acid metabolism and hepatocyte pyroptosis.
- Qi Zhao
- , Man-Yun Dai
- & Fei Li
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A regulatory variant at 19p13.3 is associated with primary biliary cholangitis risk and ARID3A expression
Primary biliary cholangitis is a rare, chronic immune-mediated liver disease triggered by environmental exposures in genetically susceptible individuals. Here, the authors investigate the functional mechanism underlying the association of 19p13.3 variants with primary biliary cholangitis.
- You Li
- , Zhiqiang Li
- & Xiong Ma
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Article
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Enhanced Ca2+-channeling complex formation at the ER-mitochondria interface underlies the pathogenesis of alcohol-associated liver disease
Ca2+ overload-induced mitochondrial dysfunction is considered a contributing factor alcohol-associated liver disease pathogenesis. Here the authors report that PDK4 promotes Ca2 + -channelling complex formation at the endoplasmic reticulum-mitochondria contact sites, which contributes to the pathogenesis of alcohol-associated liver disease in studies with male mouse and hepatocyte models.
- Themis Thoudam
- , Dipanjan Chanda
- & In-Kyu Lee
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Clinically important alterations in pharmacogene expression in histologically severe nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
This study characterizes expression of pharmacogenes across the histological NAFLD severity spectrum. Here, the authors show the downregulation of CYP2C19 in NAFLD which supports developing personalized medicine approaches for drugs sensitive to metabolism by the CYP2C19 enzyme.
- Nicholas R. Powell
- , Tiebing Liang
- & Naga Chalasani
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Deficiency of gluconeogenic enzyme PCK1 promotes metabolic-associated fatty liver disease through PI3K/AKT/PDGF axis activation in male mice
Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase 1 (Pck1) is an enzyme involved in glucose production that also regulates lipogenesis and has been linked to liver steatosis. Here the authors report that deficiency of Pck1 in the liver leads to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease via activation of the RhoA/PI3K/AKT pathway in a study with male mice.
- Qian Ye
- , Yi Liu
- & Ni Tang
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Gut microbiota alters host bile acid metabolism to contribute to intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy
Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) is a liver disease that sometimes develops during pregnancy and is characterized by increased serum bile acid levels. Here the authors report that the gut microbiome species B. fragilis is enriched in patients with ICP and promotes ICP development in mice via inhibition of signalling though the bile acid receptor FXR.
- Bo Tang
- , Li Tang
- & Shiming Yang
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Tandem mass tag-based quantitative proteomic profiling identifies candidate serum biomarkers of drug-induced liver injury in humans
Diagnosis of rare, unpredictable, drug-induced liver injury (DILI) is a significant challenge for patients, clinicians, and drug development. Here, the authors discover, evaluate, and validate potential blood biomarkers to diagnose DILI and distinguish it from alternative causes of liver injury.
- Kodihalli C. Ravindra
- , Vishal S. Vaidya
- & Shashi K. Ramaiah
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Molecular imaging of liver inflammation using an anti-VCAM-1 nanobody
Here, the authors present a noninvasive tool to detect liver inflammation using nuclear imaging, as an alternative to biopsy. The prove the diagnostic power of this tool to detect liver inflammation in preclinical models of chronic liver disease.
- Maxime Nachit
- , Christopher Montemagno
- & Pascale Perret
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Splicing factor SRSF1 deficiency in the liver triggers NASH-like pathology and cell death
Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is an advanced form of fatty liver disease with complex pathogenic mechanisms. Here, the authors report that SRSF1 deficiency in mice livers provokes deleterious R-loop formation and genotoxicity, which impedes hepatocellular gene expression, metabolism, and lipid trafficking, resulting in NASH-like pathology.
- Waqar Arif
- , Bhoomika Mathur
- & Auinash Kalsotra
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Article
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Unique DUOX2+ACE2+ small cholangiocytes are pathogenic targets for primary biliary cholangitis
The aetiology of primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) remains unclear. Here, the authors find that the numbers of DUOX2 + ACE2 + small cholangiocytes in human and mouse livers are inversely associated with disease severity, and present data indicating that they may be the target of polymeric immunoglobulin receptor (pIgR) -mediated humoral responses, suggesting that preservation of these cells and targeting anti-pIgR autoantibodies may be valuable strategies for therapeutic interventions in PBC.
- Xi Li
- , Yan Li
- & Jin Chai
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Article
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Microbially produced vitamin B12 contributes to the lipid-lowering effect of silymarin
Silymarin has been used for improving hepatic damage and lipid disorders, but its action mechanism remains to be clarified. Here, the authors reveal a mechanism of action underpinning the lipid-lowering effect of silymarin via the gut microbiota and its vitamin B12 producing capabilities.
- Wen-Long Sun
- , Sha Hua
- & Hong-Fang Ji
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Article
| Open Access
The transcription factor ATF3 switches cell death from apoptosis to necroptosis in hepatic steatosis in male mice
Aggravation of liver steatosis shifts the hepatocellular death mode from apoptosis to necroptosis in acute and chronic liver damage. Here the authors report that the transcription factor ATF3 regulates this shift through the induction of RIPK3, a regulator of necroptosis.
- Yuka Inaba
- , Emi Hashiuchi
- & Hiroshi Inoue
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Article
| Open Access
Western diet contributes to the pathogenesis of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis in male mice via remodeling gut microbiota and increasing production of 2-oleoylglycerol
Interplay of western diet and gut microbiota has been reported to be involved in the development of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Here the authors report that Blautia producta and 2-oleoylglycerol are bacterial and metabolic mediators that promote liver inflammation and hepatic fibrosis in male mice.
- Ming Yang
- , Xiaoqiang Qi
- & Guangfu Li
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Article
| Open Access
Pharmacological inhibition of Lin28 promotes ketogenesis and restores lipid homeostasis in models of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
The Lin28/let-7 axis regulates metabolic pathways in normal and pathological contexts. Here the authors show that pharmacological inhibition of Lin28 protects against lipid accumulation in multiple preclinical models of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
- Evangelia Lekka
- , Aleksandra Kokanovic
- & Jonathan Hall
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Article
| Open Access
Hepatic neddylation deficiency triggers fatal liver injury via inducing NF-κB-inducing kinase in mice
Dysregulation of the post-translational modification neddylation has been implicated in liver diseases such as fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Here the authors report that hepatic neddylation deficiency via genetic deletion of NEDD8 Activating Enzyme E1 Subunit 1 (NAE1) causes acute liver failure due to mitochondrial dysfunction and aberrant activation of NF-κB-inducing kinase in mice.
- Cheng Xu
- , Hongyi Zhou
- & Weiqin Chen
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Article
| Open Access
The role of the tryptophan-NAD + pathway in a mouse model of severe malnutrition induced liver dysfunction
Impaired liver metabolic function is related to mortality in severely malnourished children. Here the authors report a role for the tryptophan-NAD + pathway in reduced hepatic mitochondrial function and liver steatosis in a mouse model of severe malnutrition.
- Guanlan Hu
- , Catriona Ling
- & Robert H. J. Bandsma
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Article
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A metabolic associated fatty liver disease risk variant in MBOAT7 regulates toll like receptor induced outcomes
Hyperactivation of the toll-like receptors (TLRs) have been implicated as risk factors for more severe forms of disease in COVID-19 and metabolic (dysfunction) associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD). Here the authors report that MBOAT7 is reduced in macrophages of patients with MAFLD and COVID-19, and acts as a negative regulator of TLR signalling.
- Jawaher Alharthi
- , Ali Bayoumi
- & Mohammed Eslam
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Article
| Open Access
Disulfiram ameliorates nonalcoholic steatohepatitis by modulating the gut microbiota and bile acid metabolism
Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) has been linked with the gut-liver axis. Here, the authors show that disulfiram (DSF) reduces Clostridium-mediated 7α-dehydroxylation activity to suppress secondary bile acid biosynthesis and ameliorate NASH in mice, and validate DSF regulation of the gut-liver axis in healthy men in a self-controlled clinical trial.
- Yuanyuan Lei
- , Li Tang
- & Bo Tang
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Article
| Open Access
Phosphorylation of 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 13 at serine 33 attenuates nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in mice
A truncating variant of 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase-13 (17β-HSD13), a lipid droplet -associated protein, associates with lower risk of chronic liver disease. Here the authors identify a phosphorylation site in 17β-HSD13 which promotes lipolysis, and report that a knock-in mouse with a 17β-HSD13 mutant defective for phosphorylation is more susceptible to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis.
- Wen Su
- , Sijin Wu
- & Youfei Guan
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Article
| Open Access
Reduced alcohol preference and intake after fecal transplant in patients with alcohol use disorder is transmissible to germ-free mice
Gut microbiota composition is altered in patients with alcohol use disorder, and fecal microbiota transplant reduced alcohol craving in patients with alcohol use disorder and liver cirrhosis in a phase 1 clinical trial. Here the authors used stool samples collected in the trial to report that this phenotype is transmissible via microbial transfer to germ free mice, as assessed by reduced ethanol acceptance, intake and preference.
- Jennifer T. Wolstenholme
- , Justin M. Saunders
- & Jasmohan S. Bajaj
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Article
| Open Access
Induction of the hepatic aryl hydrocarbon receptor by alcohol dysregulates autophagy and phospholipid metabolism via PPP2R2D
Alcohol consumption promotes neutral fat accumulation in the liver. Here, the authors report that alcohol induces aryl hydrocarbon receptor AhR in the liver, and hepatocyte-specific AhR deletion protects against alcohol induced accumulation potentially via transcriptional regulation of Protein phosphatase 2 regulatory subunit Bdelta and subsequent effects on autophagy.
- Yun Seok Kim
- , Bongsub Ko
- & Sang Geon Kim
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Article
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TLCD1 and TLCD2 regulate cellular phosphatidylethanolamine composition and promote the progression of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis
The regulation of cellular phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) acyl chain composition is poorly understood. Here, the authors show that TLCD1 and TLCD2 proteins mediate the formation of monounsaturated fatty acid-containing PE species and promote the progression of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis.
- Kasparas Petkevicius
- , Henrik Palmgren
- & Xiao-Rong Peng
Development of a novel non-invasive biomarker panel for hepatic fibrosis in MASLD