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Hermanson JB, Tolba SA, Chrisler EA, Leone VA. Gut microbes, diet, and genetics as drivers of metabolic liver disease: a narrative review outlining implications for precision medicine. J Nutr Biochem 2024; 133:109704. [PMID: 39029595 DOI: 10.1016/j.jnutbio.2024.109704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2024] [Revised: 07/01/2024] [Accepted: 07/15/2024] [Indexed: 07/21/2024]
Abstract
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is rapidly increasing in prevalence, impacting over a third of the global population. The advanced form of MASLD, Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), is on track to become the number one indication for liver transplant. FDA-approved pharmacological agents are limited for MASH, despite over 400 ongoing clinical trials, with only a single drug (resmetirom) currently on the market. This is likely due to the heterogeneous nature of disease pathophysiology, which involves interactions between highly individualized genetic and environmental factors. To apply precision medicine approaches that overcome interpersonal variability, in-depth insights into interactions between genetics, nutrition, and the gut microbiome are needed, given that each have emerged as dynamic contributors to MASLD and MASH pathogenesis. Here, we discuss the associations and molecular underpinnings of several of these factors individually and outline their interactions in the context of both patient-based studies and preclinical animal model systems. Finally, we highlight gaps in knowledge that will require further investigation to aid in successfully implementing precision medicine to prevent and alleviate MASLD and MASH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jake B Hermanson
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Samar A Tolba
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Department of Nutrition and Clinical Nutrition, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
| | - Evan A Chrisler
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Vanessa A Leone
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA.
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2
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Koch RL, Stanton JB, McClatchy S, Churchill GA, Craig SW, Williams DN, Johns ME, Chase KR, Thiesfeldt DL, Flynt JC, Pazdro R. Discovery of genomic loci for liver health and steatosis reveals overlap with glutathione redox genetics. Redox Biol 2024; 75:103248. [PMID: 38917671 PMCID: PMC11254179 DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2024.103248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2024] [Revised: 05/27/2024] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common chronic liver condition in the United States, encompassing a wide spectrum of liver pathologies including steatosis, steatohepatitis, fibrosis, and cirrhosis. Despite its high prevalence, there are no medications currently approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of NAFLD. Recent work has suggested that NAFLD has a strong genetic component and identifying causative genes will improve our understanding of the molecular mechanisms contributing to NAFLD and yield targets for future therapeutic investigations. Oxidative stress is known to play an important role in NAFLD pathogenesis, yet the underlying mechanisms accounting for disturbances in redox status are not entirely understood. To better understand the relationship between the glutathione redox system and signs of NAFLD in a genetically-diverse population, we measured liver weight, serum biomarkers aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and graded liver pathology in a large cohort of Diversity Outbred mice. We compared hepatic endpoints to those of the glutathione redox system previously measured in the livers and kidneys of the same mice, and we screened for statistical and genetic associations using the R/qtl2 software. We discovered several novel genetic loci associated with markers of liver health, including loci that were associated with both liver steatosis and glutathione redox status. Candidate genes within each locus point to possible new mechanisms underlying the complex relationship between NAFLD and the glutathione redox system, which could have translational implications for future studies targeting NAFLD pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca L Koch
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA, 30602
| | - James B Stanton
- Department of Pathology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA, 30602
| | | | | | - Steven W Craig
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA, 30602
| | - Darian N Williams
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA, 30602
| | - Mallory E Johns
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA, 30602
| | - Kylah R Chase
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA, 30602
| | - Dana L Thiesfeldt
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA, 30602
| | - Jessica C Flynt
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA, 30602
| | - Robert Pazdro
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA, 30602.
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Sookoian S, Rotman Y, Valenti L. Genetics of Metabolic Dysfunction-associated Steatotic Liver Disease: The State of Art Update. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2024:S1542-3565(24)00690-6. [PMID: 39094912 DOI: 10.1016/j.cgh.2024.05.052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2024] [Revised: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024]
Abstract
Recent advances in the genetics of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) are gradually revealing the mechanisms underlying the heterogeneity of the disease and have shown promising results in patient stratification. Genetic characterization of the disease has been rapidly developed using genome-wide association studies, exome-wide association studies, phenome-wide association studies, and whole exome sequencing. These advances have been powered by the increase in computational power, the development of new analytical algorithms, including some based on artificial intelligence, and the recruitment of large and well-phenotyped cohorts. This review presents an update on genetic studies that emphasize new biological insights from next-generation sequencing approaches. Additionally, we discuss innovative methods for discovering new genetic loci for MASLD, including rare variants. To comprehensively manage MASLD, it is important to stratify risks. Therefore, we present an update on phenome-wide association study associations, including extreme phenotypes. Additionally, we discuss whether polygenic risk scores and targeted sequencing are ready for clinical use. With particular focus on precision medicine, we introduce concepts such as the interplay between genetics and the environment in modulating genetic risk with lifestyle or standard therapies. A special chapter is dedicated to gene-based therapeutics. The limitations of approved pharmacological approaches are discussed, and the potential of gene-related mechanisms in therapeutic development is reviewed, including the decision to perform genetic testing in patients with MASLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Sookoian
- Clinical and Molecular Hepatology, Translational Health Research Center (CENITRES), Maimónides University, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Faculty of Health Science, Maimónides University, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Yaron Rotman
- Liver and Energy Metabolism Section, Liver Diseases Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Luca Valenti
- Precision Medicine - Biological Resource Center, Department of Transfusion Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy; Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
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4
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Zhang L, El-Shabrawi M, Baur LA, Byrne CD, Targher G, Kehar M, Porta G, Lee WS, Lefere S, Turan S, Alisi A, Weiss R, Faienza MF, Ashraf A, Sundaram SS, Srivastava A, De Bruyne R, Kang Y, Bacopoulou F, Zhou YH, Darma A, Lupsor-Platon M, Hamaguchi M, Misra A, Méndez-Sánchez N, Ng NBH, Marcus C, Staiano AE, Waheed N, Alqahtani SA, Giannini C, Ocama P, Nguyen MH, Arias-Loste MT, Ahmed MR, Sebastiani G, Poovorawan Y, Al Mahtab M, Pericàs JM, Reverbel da Silveira T, Hegyi P, Azaz A, Isa HM, Lertudomphonwanit C, Farrag MI, Nugud AAA, Du HW, Qi KM, Mouane N, Cheng XR, Al Lawati T, Fagundes EDT, Ghazinyan H, Hadjipanayis A, Fan JG, Gimiga N, Kamal NM, Ștefănescu G, Hong L, Diaconescu S, Li M, George J, Zheng MH. An international multidisciplinary consensus on pediatric metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease. MED 2024; 5:797-815.e2. [PMID: 38677287 DOI: 10.1016/j.medj.2024.03.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is highly prevalent in children and adolescents, particularly those with obesity. NAFLD is considered a hepatic manifestation of the metabolic syndrome due to its close associations with abdominal obesity, insulin resistance, and atherogenic dyslipidemia. Experts have proposed an alternative terminology, metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), to better reflect its pathophysiology. This study aimed to develop consensus statements and recommendations for pediatric MAFLD through collaboration among international experts. METHODS A group of 65 experts from 35 countries and six continents, including pediatricians, hepatologists, and endocrinologists, participated in a consensus development process. The process encompassed various aspects of pediatric MAFLD, including epidemiology, mechanisms, screening, and management. FINDINGS In round 1, we received 65 surveys from 35 countries and analyzed these results, which informed us that 73.3% of respondents agreed with 20 draft statements while 23.8% agreed somewhat. The mean percentage of agreement or somewhat agreement increased to 80.85% and 15.75%, respectively, in round 2. The final statements covered a wide range of topics related to epidemiology, pathophysiology, and strategies for screening and managing pediatric MAFLD. CONCLUSIONS The consensus statements and recommendations developed by an international expert panel serve to optimize clinical outcomes and improve the quality of life for children and adolescents with MAFLD. These findings emphasize the need for standardized approaches in diagnosing and treating pediatric MAFLD. FUNDING This work was funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (82070588, 82370577), the National Key R&D Program of China (2023YFA1800801), National High Level Hospital Clinical Research Funding (2022-PUMCH-C-014), the Wuxi Taihu Talent Plan (DJTD202106), and the Medical Key Discipline Program of Wuxi Health Commission (ZDXK2021007).
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Affiliation(s)
- Le Zhang
- Department of Paediatrics, Affiliated Children's Hospital of Jiangnan University (Wuxi Children's Hospital), Wuxi, China
| | - Mortada El-Shabrawi
- Department of Pediatrics and Pediatric Hepatology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Louise A Baur
- Children's Hospital Westmead Clinical School, Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Sydney School of Public Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Christopher D Byrne
- Nutrition and Metabolism, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK; National Institute for Health and Care Research Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Giovanni Targher
- Department of Medicine, University of Verona, Verona, Italy; Metabolic Diseases Research Unit, IRCCS Sacro Cuore - Don Calabria Hospital, Negrar di Valpolicella, Italy
| | - Mohit Kehar
- Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Gilda Porta
- Pediatric Hepatology, Transplant Unit, Hospital Sírio-Libanês, Hospital Municipal Infantil Menino Jesus, Sau Paulo, Brazil
| | - Way Seah Lee
- Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Sander Lefere
- Hepatology Research Unit, Department Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium; Liver Research Center Ghent, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Serap Turan
- Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Marmara University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Anna Alisi
- Research Unit of Molecular Genetics of Complex Phenotypes, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Ram Weiss
- Department of Pediatrics, Ruth Children's Hospital, Rambam Medical Center and the Bruce Rappaport School of Medicine, Technion, Haifa, Israel
| | - Maria Felicia Faienza
- Pediatric Unit, Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
| | - Ambika Ashraf
- Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Pediatrics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Shikha S Sundaram
- Section of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, Pediatric Liver Center, Children's Hospital Colorado, University of Colorado School of Medicine and Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Anshu Srivastava
- Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, India
| | - Ruth De Bruyne
- Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Yunkoo Kang
- Department of Pediatrics, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju, Republic of Korea
| | - Flora Bacopoulou
- Center for Adolescent Medicine and UNESCO Chair in Adolescent Health Care, Aghia Sophia Children's Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece; University Research Institute of Maternal and Child Health & Precision Medicine, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Yong-Hai Zhou
- Department of Pediatrics, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Andy Darma
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, Indonesia
| | - Monica Lupsor-Platon
- Department of Medical Imaging, "Iuliu Hatieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania; "Prof. Dr. O. Fodor" Regional Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Masahide Hamaguchi
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Anoop Misra
- Fortis-C-DOC Centre of Excellence for Diabetes, Metabolic Diseases and Endocrinology, New Delhi, India; National Diabetes, Obesity and Cholesterol Foundation (N-DOC), New Delhi, India; Diabetes Foundation, New Delhi, India
| | - Nahum Méndez-Sánchez
- Liver Research Unit, Medica Sur Clinic and Foundation and Faculty of Medicine, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Nicholas Beng Hui Ng
- Department of Paediatrics, Khoo Teck Puat - National University Children's Medical Institute, National University Hospital, Singapore, Singapore; Department of Paediatrics, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Claude Marcus
- Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Division of Pediatrics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Nadia Waheed
- Department of Pediatrics, Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Saleh A Alqahtani
- Organ Transplantation Center of Excellence, King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Cosimo Giannini
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Chieti, Chieti, Italy
| | - Ponsiano Ocama
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Mindie H Nguyen
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Stanford University Medical Center, Palo Alto, CA, USA; Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Maria Teresa Arias-Loste
- Hospital Universitario Marqués de Valdecilla, Gastroenterology and Hepatology Department, Clinical and Translational Research in Digestive Diseases, Instituto de Investigación Marqués de Valdecilla (IDIVAL), Santander, Spain
| | - Mohamed Rabea Ahmed
- Department of Pediatrics, Jahra Hospital, Kuwait and Department of Pediatrics, National Hepatology and Tropical Medicine Research Institute (NHTMRI), Cairo, Egypt
| | - Giada Sebastiani
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology and Division of Infectious Diseases, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Yong Poovorawan
- Centre of Excellence in Clinical Virology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Mamun Al Mahtab
- Department of Hepatology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Shahbag, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Juan M Pericàs
- Liver Unit, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Vall d'Hebron Institute for Research (VHIR), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Centros de Investigación Biomédica en Red, Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Peter Hegyi
- Institute for Translational Medicine, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary; Center for Translational Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary; Institute of Pancreatic Diseases, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Amer Azaz
- Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Hasan M Isa
- Pediatric Department, Salmaniya Medical Complex and Pediatric Department, Arabian Gulf University, Manama, Bahrain
| | - Chatmanee Lertudomphonwanit
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Mona Issa Farrag
- Department of Pediatrics and Pediatric Hepatology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Ahmed Abd Alwahab Nugud
- Department of Pediatrics and Pediatric Hepatology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Hong-Wei Du
- Department of Paediatrics, First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Ke-Min Qi
- Laboratory of Nutrition and Development, Key Laboratory of Major Diseases in Children, Ministry of Education, Beijing Pediatric Research Institute, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children's Health, Beijing, China
| | - Nezha Mouane
- Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology Hepatology and Nutrition, Academic Children's Hospital Ibn Sina, Mohammed V University, Rabat, Morocco
| | - Xin-Ran Cheng
- Department of Paediatric Genetics, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Chengdu Women's and Children's Central Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | | | - Eleonora D T Fagundes
- Department of Pediatrics, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Hasmik Ghazinyan
- Department of Hepatology, Nikomed Medical Center, Yerevan, Armenia
| | | | - Jian-Gao Fan
- Department of Gastroenterology, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Key Lab of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Shanghai, China
| | - Nicoleta Gimiga
- Clinical Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, "St. Mary" Emergency Children's Hospital, Iași, Romania; Faculty of Medicine, "Grigore T. Popa" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Iași, Romania
| | - Naglaa M Kamal
- Department of Pediatrics and Pediatric Hepatology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt; Pediatric Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Alhada Armed Forces Hospital, Taif, Saudi Arabia
| | - Gabriela Ștefănescu
- Department of Gastroenterology, "Grigore T. Popa" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Iași, Romania
| | - Li Hong
- Department of Clinical Nutrition, Shanghai Children's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Smaranda Diaconescu
- Medical-Surgical Department, Faculty of Medicine, University "Titu Maiorescu", Bucuresti, Romania
| | - Ming Li
- Key Laboratory of Endocrinology of National Health Commission, Department of Endocrinology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Jacob George
- Storr Liver Centre, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Westmead Hospital, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
| | - Ming-Hua Zheng
- MAFLD Research Center, Department of Hepatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China; Institute of Hepatology, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China; Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment for the Development of Chronic Liver Disease in Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou, China.
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Pirola CJ, Sookoian S. Drug repurposing in MASLD and MASH-cirrhosis: Targets and treatment approaches based on pathways analysis. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2024; 207:193-206. [PMID: 38942537 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2024.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/30/2024]
Abstract
Designing and predicting novel drug targets to accelerate drug discovery for treating metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH)-cirrhosis is a challenging task. The presence of superimposed (nested) and co-occurring clinical and histological phenotypes, namely MASH and cirrhosis, may partly explain this. Thus, in this scenario, each sub-phenotype has its own set of pathophysiological mechanisms, triggers, and processes. Here, we used gene/protein and set enrichment analysis to predict druggable pathways for the treatment of MASH-cirrhosis. Our findings indicate that the pathogenesis of MASH-cirrhosis can be explained by perturbations in multiple, simultaneous, and overlapping molecular processes. In this scenario, each sub-phenotype has its own set of pathophysiological mechanisms, triggers, and processes. Therefore, we used systems biology modeling to provide evidence that MASH and cirrhosis paradoxically present unique and distinct as well as common disease mechanisms, including a network of molecular targets. More importantly, pathway analysis revealed straightforward results consistent with modulation of the immune response, cell cycle control, and epigenetic regulation. In conclusion, the selection of potential therapies for MASH-cirrhosis should be guided by a better understanding of the underlying biological processes and molecular perturbations that progressively damage liver tissue and its underlying structure. Therapeutic options for patients with MASH may not necessarily be of choice for MASH cirrhosis. Therefore, the biology of the disease and the processes associated with its natural history must be at the forefront of the decision-making process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos J Pirola
- Systems Biology of Complex Diseases, Centro de Investigación Traslacional en Salud, Universidad Maimónides, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Silvia Sookoian
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina; Clinical and Molecular Hepatology, Centro de Investigación Traslacional en Salud, Universidad Maimónides, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Maimónides, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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6
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Xia M, Varmazyad M, Palacin IP, Gavlock DC, Debiasio R, LaRocca G, Reese C, Florentino R, Faccioli LAP, Brown JA, Vernetti LA, Schurdak ME, Stern AM, Gough A, Behari J, Soto-Gutierrez A, Taylor DL, Miedel M. Comparison of Wild-Type and High-risk PNPLA3 variants in a Human Biomimetic Liver Microphysiology System for Metabolic Dysfunction-associated Steatotic Liver Disease Precision Therapy. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.04.22.590608. [PMID: 38712213 PMCID: PMC11071381 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.22.590608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is a worldwide health epidemic with a global occurrence of approximately 30%. The pathogenesis of MASLD is a complex, multisystem disorder driven by multiple factors including genetics, lifestyle, and the environment. Patient heterogeneity presents challenges for developing MASLD therapeutics, creation of patient cohorts for clinical trials and optimization of therapeutic strategies for specific patient cohorts. Implementing pre-clinical experimental models for drug development creates a significant challenge as simple in vitro systems and animal models do not fully recapitulate critical steps in the pathogenesis and the complexity of MASLD progression. To address this, we implemented a precision medicine strategy that couples the use of our liver acinus microphysiology system (LAMPS) constructed with patient-derived primary cells. We investigated the MASLD-associated genetic variant PNPLA3 rs738409 (I148M variant) in primary hepatocytes, as it is associated with MASLD progression. We constructed LAMPS with genotyped wild type and variant PNPLA3 hepatocytes together with key non-parenchymal cells and quantified the reproducibility of the model. We altered media components to mimic blood chemistries, including insulin, glucose, free fatty acids, and immune activating molecules to reflect normal fasting (NF), early metabolic syndrome (EMS) and late metabolic syndrome (LMS) conditions. Finally, we investigated the response to treatment with resmetirom, an approved drug for metabolic syndrome-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), the progressive form of MASLD. This study using primary cells serves as a benchmark for studies using patient biomimetic twins constructed with patient iPSC-derived liver cells using a panel of reproducible metrics. We observed increased steatosis, immune activation, stellate cell activation and secretion of pro-fibrotic markers in the PNPLA3 GG variant compared to wild type CC LAMPS, consistent with the clinical characterization of this variant. We also observed greater resmetirom efficacy in PNPLA3 wild type CC LAMPS compared to the GG variant in multiple MASLD metrics including steatosis, stellate cell activation and the secretion of pro-fibrotic markers. In conclusion, our study demonstrates the capability of the LAMPS platform for the development of MASLD precision therapeutics, enrichment of patient cohorts for clinical trials, and optimization of therapeutic strategies for patient subgroups with different clinical traits and disease stages.
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7
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Yang W, Ebrahimi F, Romeo S, Holmer M, Vessby J, Ekstedt M, Ludvigsson JF, Shang Y, Hagström H. Risk of major adverse liver outcomes among first-degree relatives of individuals with MASLD. Liver Int 2024; 44:1253-1264. [PMID: 38385564 DOI: 10.1111/liv.15874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Revised: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Previous studies have suggested an increased risk of major adverse liver outcomes (MALO) in relatives of patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). However, granular and longitudinal evidence is lacking on the future risk of MALO among family members of individuals with MASLD. METHODS We identified 3526 first-degree relatives (FDRs) and 11 079 general population comparators to 1328 patients with MASLD diagnosed between 1974 and 2021, with detailed clinical data, including liver histology in 71% of patients. MALO was defined through diagnostic coding for cirrhosis or its complications. Cox regression models were used to estimate adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) for MALO among FDRs compared to general population comparators. Cumulative incidence accounting for competing risks was calculated. RESULTS During a median follow-up of 13.4 years, there were 65 (2%, 1.12/1000 person-years) and 225 (2%, 1.26/1000 person-years) MALO events in FDRs and general population comparators respectively. After adjusting for demographic factors and comorbidities, FDRs were at no increased risk of MALO (aHR = 0.99, 95% CI: 0.74-1.33). Increased relative rates of MALOs were, however, observed in some subgroups, including parents, although absolute risk estimates were low and comparable to the general population. CONCLUSIONS FDRs of patients with MASLD did not have a higher rate of incident MALO than the general population. Since the absolute risk of MALO in relatives of patients with MASLD was low, these results do not support systematic screening of MASLD-related fibrosis in relatives of patients with MASLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen Yang
- Department of Medicine, Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Fahim Ebrahimi
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Clarunis University Center for Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Stefano Romeo
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Magnus Holmer
- Department of Medicine, Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Division of Hepatology, Department of Upper GI, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Johan Vessby
- Department of Medical Sciences, Gastroenterology Research Group, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Mattias Ekstedt
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Health, Medicine, and Caring Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Jonas F Ludvigsson
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Pediatrics, Örebro University Hospital, Örebro, Sweden
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York, USA
| | - Ying Shang
- Department of Medicine, Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Hannes Hagström
- Department of Medicine, Huddinge, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Division of Hepatology, Department of Upper GI, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
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8
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Das A, Cheng H, Wang Y, Kinch LN, Liang G, Hong S, Hobbs HH, Cohen JC. The ubiquitin E3 ligase BFAR promotes degradation of PNPLA3. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2312291121. [PMID: 38294943 PMCID: PMC10861911 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2312291121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
A missense variant in patatin-like phospholipase domain-containing protein 3 [PNPLA3(I148M)] is the most impactful genetic risk factor for fatty liver disease (FLD). We previously showed that PNPLA3 is ubiquitylated and subsequently degraded by proteasomes and autophagosomes and that the PNPLA3(148M) variant interferes with this process. To define the machinery responsible for PNPLA3 turnover, we used small interfering (si)RNAs to inactivate components of the ubiquitin proteasome system. Inactivation of bifunctional apoptosis regulator (BFAR), a membrane-bound E3 ubiquitin ligase, reproducibly increased PNPLA3 levels in two lines of cultured hepatocytes. Conversely, overexpression of BFAR decreased levels of endogenous PNPLA3 in HuH7 cells. BFAR and PNPLA3 co-immunoprecipitated when co-expressed in cells. BFAR promoted ubiquitylation of PNPLA3 in vitro in a reconstitution assay using purified, epitope-tagged recombinant proteins. To confirm that BFAR targets PNPLA3, we inactivated Bfar in mice. Levels of PNPLA3 protein were increased twofold in hepatic lipid droplets of Bfar-/- mice with no associated increase in PNPLA3 mRNA levels. Taken together these data are consistent with a model in which BFAR plays a role in the post-translational degradation of PNPLA3. The identification of BFAR provides a potential target to enhance PNPLA3 turnover and prevent FLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Avash Das
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX75390
| | - Haili Cheng
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX75390
| | - Yang Wang
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX75390
| | - Lisa N. Kinch
- HHMI, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX75390
| | - Guosheng Liang
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX75390
| | - Sen Hong
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX75390
| | - Helen H. Hobbs
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX75390
- HHMI, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX75390
| | - Jonathan C. Cohen
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX75390
- Center for Human Nutrition, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX75390
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Parola M, Pinzani M. Liver fibrosis in NAFLD/NASH: from pathophysiology towards diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. Mol Aspects Med 2024; 95:101231. [PMID: 38056058 DOI: 10.1016/j.mam.2023.101231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
Liver fibrosis, as an excess deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) components, results from chronic liver injury as well as persistent activation of inflammatory response and of fibrogenesis. Liver fibrosis is a major determinant for chronic liver disease (CLD) progression and in the last two decades our understanding on the major molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the fibrogenic progression of CLD has dramatically improved, boosting pre-clinical studies and clinical trials designed to find novel therapeutic approaches. From these studies several critical concepts have emerged, starting to reveal the complexity of the pro-fibrotic microenvironment which involves very complex, dynamic and interrelated interactions between different hepatic and extrahepatic cell populations. This review will offer first a recapitulation of established and novel pathophysiological basic principles and concepts by intentionally focus the attention on NAFLD/NASH, a metabolic-related form of CLD with a high impact on the general population and emerging as a leading cause of CLD worldwide. NAFLD/NASH-related pro-inflammatory and profibrogenic mechanisms will be analysed as well as novel information on cells, mediators and signalling pathways which have taken advantage from novel methodological approaches and techniques (single cell genomics, imaging mass cytometry, novel in vitro two- and three-dimensional models, etc.). We will next offer an overview on recent advancement in diagnostic and prognostic tools, including serum biomarkers and polygenic scores, to support the analysis of liver biopsies. Finally, this review will provide an analysis of current and emerging therapies for the treatment of NAFLD/NASH patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maurizio Parola
- Dept. Clinical and Biological Sciences, Unit of Experimental Medicine and Clinical Pathology, University of Torino, Corso Raffaello 30, 10125, Torino, Italy.
| | - Massimo Pinzani
- UCL Institute for Liver and Digestive Health, Division of Medicine - Royal Free Hospital, London, NW32PF, United Kingdom.
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10
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Kozlitina J, Cohen NM, Sturtevant D, Cohen JC, Murphey-Half C, Saltarrelli JG, Jindra P, Askar M, Hwang CS, Vagefi PA, Lacelle C, Hobbs HH, MacConmara MP. Effect of donor HSD17B13 genotype on patient survival after liver transplant: a retrospective cohort study. EClinicalMedicine 2024; 67:102350. [PMID: 38169797 PMCID: PMC10758751 DOI: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2023.102350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Revised: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Several genetic variants are associated with chronic liver disease. The role of these variants in outcomes after liver transplantation (LT) is uncertain. The aim of this study was to determine if donor genotype at risk-associated variants in PNPLA3 (rs738409 C>G, p.I148M) and HSD17B13 (rs72613567 T>TA; rs80182459, p.A192Lfs∗8) influences post-LT survival. Methods In this retrospective cohort study, data on 2346 adults who underwent first-time LT between January 1, 1999 and June 30, 2020 and who had donor DNA samples available at five large Transplant Immunology Laboratories in Texas, USA, were obtained from the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS). Duplicates, patients with insufficient donor DNA for genotyping, those who were <18 years of age at the time of transplant, had had a previous transplant or had missing genotype data were excluded. The primary outcomes were patient and graft survival after LT. The association between donor genotype and post-LT survival was examined using Kaplan-Meier method and multivariable-adjusted Cox proportional hazards models. Findings Median age of LT recipients was 57 [interquartile range (IQR), 50-62] years; 837 (35.7%) were women; 1362 (58.1%) White, 713 (30.4%) Hispanic, 182 (7.8%) Black/African-American. Median follow-up time was 3.95 years. Post-LT survival was not affected by donor PNPLA3 genotype but was significantly reduced among recipients of livers with two HSD17B13 loss-of-function (LoF) variants compared to those receiving livers with no HSD17B13 LoF alleles (unadjusted one-year survival: 82.6% vs 93.9%, P < 0.0001; five-year survival: 73.1% vs 82.9%, P = 0.0017; adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 2.25; 95% CI, 1.61-3.15 after adjustment for recipient age, sex, and self-reported ethnicity). Excess mortality was restricted to those receiving steroid induction immunosuppression (crude 90-day post-LT mortality, 9.3% [95% CI, 1.9%-16.1%] vs 1.9% [95% CI, 0.9%-2.9%] in recipients of livers with two vs no HSD17B13 LoF alleles, P = 0.0012; age, sex, and ethnicity-adjusted HR, 2.85; 95% CI, 1.72-4.71, P < 0.0001). No reduction was seen among patients who did not receive steroid induction (90-day mortality 3.1% [95% CI, 0%-7.3%] vs 2% [95% CI, 0.9%-3.1%], P = 0.65; adjusted HR, 1.17; 95% CI, 0.66-2.08, P = 0.60). Interpretation Donor HSD17B13 genotype adversely affects post-LT survival in patients receiving steroid induction. Additional studies are required to confirm this association. Funding The National Institutes of Health and American Society of Transplant Surgeons Collaborative Scientist Grant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Kozlitina
- The Eugene McDermott Center for Human Growth and Development, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Naomi M. Cohen
- The Eugene McDermott Center for Human Growth and Development, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
- Division of Surgical Transplantation, Department of Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Drew Sturtevant
- The Eugene McDermott Center for Human Growth and Development, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Jonathan C. Cohen
- The Eugene McDermott Center for Human Growth and Development, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
- The Center for Human Nutrition, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Cathi Murphey-Half
- Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics Laboratory, Southwest Immunodiagnostics, Inc, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Jerome G. Saltarrelli
- Histocompatibility and Immune Evaluation Laboratory, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Peter Jindra
- Immune Evaluation Laboratory, Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Medhat Askar
- Transplant Immunology, Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Christine S. Hwang
- Division of Surgical Transplantation, Department of Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Parsia A. Vagefi
- Division of Surgical Transplantation, Department of Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Chantale Lacelle
- Transplant Immunology and Histocompatibility, Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Helen H. Hobbs
- The Eugene McDermott Center for Human Growth and Development, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Malcolm P. MacConmara
- Division of Surgical Transplantation, Department of Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
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11
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Malladi N, Alam MJ, Maulik SK, Banerjee SK. The role of platelets in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: From pathophysiology to therapeutics. Prostaglandins Other Lipid Mediat 2023; 169:106766. [PMID: 37479133 DOI: 10.1016/j.prostaglandins.2023.106766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Revised: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/23/2023]
Abstract
Platelets are one of the key mediators in thrombosis as well as in the progression of many diseases. An increase in platelet activation and a decrease in platelet count is associated with a plethora of liver diseases. In non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), platelets are highly activated and participate in the disease progression by enhancing the pro-thrombotic and pro-inflammatory state. Some altered platelet parameters such as mean platelet volume, plateletcrits, and platelet distribution width, aspartate transaminase to platelet ratio index, liver stiffness to platelet ratio and red cell distribution width to platelet ratio were found to be associated with NAFLD disease. Further, platelet contributes to the progression of cardiovascular complications in NAFLD is gaining the researcher's attention. An elevated mean platelet volume is known to enhance the risk of stroke, atherosclerosis, thrombosis, and myocardial infarction in NAFLD. Evidence also suggested that modulation in platelet function using aspirin, ticlopidine, and cilostazol help in controlling the NAFLD progression. Future research should focus on antiplatelet therapy as a treatment strategy that can control platelet activation in NAFLD as well as its cardiovascular risk. In the present review, we have detailed the role of platelets in NAFLD and its cardiovascular complications. We further aimed to highlight the growing need for antiplatelet therapy in NAFLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Navya Malladi
- Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Guwahati 781101, Assam, India
| | - Md Jahangir Alam
- Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Guwahati 781101, Assam, India; Cell Biology and Physiology Division, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Kolkata, India
| | - Subir K Maulik
- Indian Council of Medical Research, Ministry of Health, New Delhi 110029, India
| | - Sanjay K Banerjee
- Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Guwahati 781101, Assam, India.
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12
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Takahashi Y, Dungubat E, Kusano H, Fukusato T. Pathology and Pathogenesis of Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease-Associated Hepatic Tumors. Biomedicines 2023; 11:2761. [PMID: 37893134 PMCID: PMC10604511 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11102761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Revised: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is characterized by excessive fat accumulation in the livers of patients without a history of alcohol abuse. It is classified as either simple steatosis (nonalcoholic fatty liver) or nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which can progress to liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Recently, it was suggested that the terms "metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD)" and "metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH)" should replace the terms "nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)" and "nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)", respectively, with small changes in the definitions. MASLD, a hepatic manifestation of metabolic syndrome, is rapidly increasing in incidence globally, and is becoming an increasingly important cause of HCC. Steatohepatitic HCC, a histological variant of HCC, is characterized by its morphological features resembling non-neoplastic steatohepatitis and is closely associated with underlying steatohepatitis and metabolic syndrome. Variations in genes including patatin-like phospholipase domain-containing protein 3 (PNPLA3), transmembrane 6 superfamily 2 (TM6SF2), and membrane-bound O-acyltransferase domain-containing protein 7 (MBOAT7) are associated with the natural history of MASLD, including HCC development. The mechanisms of HCC development in MASLD have not been fully elucidated; however, various factors, including lipotoxicity, inflammation, reactive oxygen species, insulin resistance, and alterations in the gut bacterial flora, are important in the pathogenesis of MASLD-associated HCC. Obesity and MASLD are also recognized as risk factors for hepatocellular adenomas, and recent meta-analyses have shown an association between MASLD and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. In this review, we outline the pathology and pathogenesis of MASLD-associated liver tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshihisa Takahashi
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, International University of Health and Welfare, Narita 286-8686, Japan; (E.D.); (H.K.)
| | - Erdenetsogt Dungubat
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, International University of Health and Welfare, Narita 286-8686, Japan; (E.D.); (H.K.)
- Department of Pathology, School of Biomedicine, Mongolian National University of Medical Sciences, Ulaanbaatar 14210, Mongolia
| | - Hiroyuki Kusano
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, International University of Health and Welfare, Narita 286-8686, Japan; (E.D.); (H.K.)
| | - Toshio Fukusato
- General Medical Education and Research Center, Teikyo University, Tokyo 173-8605, Japan;
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13
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Meroni M, Dongiovanni P. PNPLA3 rs738409 Genetic Variant Inversely Correlates with Platelet Count, Thereby Affecting the Performance of Noninvasive Scores of Hepatic Fibrosis. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15046. [PMID: 37894727 PMCID: PMC10606003 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242015046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Noninvasive tests (NITs) including platelets (PLTs) have been proposed to replace hepatic biopsy for the diagnosis of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), or as more recently redefined, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). There has been reported an inverse correlation between PLTs and progressive MASLD, which is also affected by the patatin-like phospholipase domain-containing protein 3 (PNPLA3) rs738409 C>G mutation. However, the correlation between low PLTs and PNPLA3 genotype has been poorly investigated. We stratified 1155 biopsy-proven MASLD patients according to PNPLA3 genotype. The hepatic expression of genes involved in megakaryopoiesis was investigated in n = 167 bariatric patients by RNAseq. PLT count progressively decreased according to the number of PNPLA3 at-risk alleles, irrespective of the presence of advanced fibrosis. The hepatic expression of genes involved in PLT biogenesis was associated with the PNPLA3 GG genotype. Finally, the presence of the PNPLA3 homozygosity flattened the accuracy of fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) in discriminating histological fibrosis stages. The PNPLA3 GG genotype may underpower the accuracy of NITs which include PLT count in identifying those patients with potentially reversible stages of fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Paola Dongiovanni
- Medicine and Metabolic Diseases, Fondazione IRCCS Cà Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Via Francesco Sforza 35, 20122 Milan, Italy;
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14
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Cherubini A, Ostadreza M, Jamialahmadi O, Pelusi S, Rrapaj E, Casirati E, Passignani G, Norouziesfahani M, Sinopoli E, Baselli G, Meda C, Dongiovanni P, Dondossola D, Youngson N, Tourna A, Chokshi S, Bugianesi E, Della Torre S, Prati D, Romeo S, Valenti L. Interaction between estrogen receptor-α and PNPLA3 p.I148M variant drives fatty liver disease susceptibility in women. Nat Med 2023; 29:2643-2655. [PMID: 37749332 PMCID: PMC10579099 DOI: 10.1038/s41591-023-02553-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023]
Abstract
Fatty liver disease (FLD) caused by metabolic dysfunction is the leading cause of liver disease and the prevalence is rising, especially in women. Although during reproductive age women are protected against FLD, for still unknown and understudied reasons some develop rapidly progressive disease at the menopause. The patatin-like phospholipase domain-containing 3 (PNPLA3) p.I148M variant accounts for the largest fraction of inherited FLD variability. In the present study, we show that there is a specific multiplicative interaction between female sex and PNPLA3 p.I148M in determining FLD in at-risk individuals (steatosis and fibrosis, P < 10-10; advanced fibrosis/hepatocellular carcinoma, P = 0.034) and in the general population (P < 10-7 for alanine transaminase levels). In individuals with obesity, hepatic PNPLA3 expression was higher in women than in men (P = 0.007) and in mice correlated with estrogen levels. In human hepatocytes and liver organoids, PNPLA3 was induced by estrogen receptor-α (ER-α) agonists. By chromatin immunoprecipitation and luciferase assays, we identified and characterized an ER-α-binding site within a PNPLA3 enhancer and demonstrated via CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing that this sequence drives PNPLA3 p.I148M upregulation, leading to lipid droplet accumulation and fibrogenesis in three-dimensional multilineage spheroids with stellate cells. These data suggest that a functional interaction between ER-α and PNPLA3 p.I148M variant contributes to FLD in women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Cherubini
- Precision Medicine-Biological Resource Center and Department of Transfusion Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Mahnoosh Ostadreza
- Precision Medicine-Biological Resource Center and Department of Transfusion Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Oveis Jamialahmadi
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Serena Pelusi
- Precision Medicine-Biological Resource Center and Department of Transfusion Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Eniada Rrapaj
- Precision Medicine-Biological Resource Center and Department of Transfusion Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Elia Casirati
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Giulia Passignani
- Precision Medicine-Biological Resource Center and Department of Transfusion Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Marjan Norouziesfahani
- Precision Medicine-Biological Resource Center and Department of Transfusion Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Elena Sinopoli
- Precision Medicine-Biological Resource Center and Department of Transfusion Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Guido Baselli
- Precision Medicine-Biological Resource Center and Department of Transfusion Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Clara Meda
- Department of Health Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Paola Dongiovanni
- Medicine and Metabolic Diseases, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Daniele Dondossola
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
- General and Liver Transplant Surgery, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico and University of Milan, Centre of Preclinical Research, Milan, Italy
| | - Neil Youngson
- Foundation for Liver Research, The Roger Williams Institute of Hepatology, London, UK
- Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Aikaterini Tourna
- Foundation for Liver Research, The Roger Williams Institute of Hepatology, London, UK
| | - Shilpa Chokshi
- Foundation for Liver Research, The Roger Williams Institute of Hepatology, London, UK
- Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Elisabetta Bugianesi
- Department of Medical Sciences, Division of Gastroenterology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Sara Della Torre
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Daniele Prati
- Precision Medicine-Biological Resource Center and Department of Transfusion Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Stefano Romeo
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Cardiology Department, Sahlgrenska Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Medical and Surgical Science, Magna Græcia University, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Luca Valenti
- Precision Medicine-Biological Resource Center and Department of Transfusion Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy.
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy.
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15
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Ceci L, Han Y, Krutsinger K, Baiocchi L, Wu N, Kundu D, Kyritsi K, Zhou T, Gaudio E, Francis H, Alpini G, Kennedy L. Gallstone and Gallbladder Disease: Biliary Tract and Cholangiopathies. Compr Physiol 2023; 13:4909-4943. [PMID: 37358507 DOI: 10.1002/cphy.c220028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/27/2023]
Abstract
Cholestatic liver diseases are named primarily due to the blockage of bile flow and buildup of bile acids in the liver. Cholestasis can occur in cholangiopathies, fatty liver diseases, and during COVID-19 infection. Most literature evaluates damage occurring to the intrahepatic biliary tree during cholestasis; however, there may be associations between liver damage and gallbladder damage. Gallbladder damage can manifest as acute or chronic inflammation, perforation, polyps, cancer, and most commonly gallstones. Considering the gallbladder is an extension of the intrahepatic biliary network, and both tissues are lined by biliary epithelial cells that share common mechanisms and properties, it is worth further evaluation to understand the association between bile duct and gallbladder damage. In this comprehensive article, we discuss background information of the biliary tree and gallbladder, from function, damage, and therapeutic approaches. We then discuss published findings that identify gallbladder disorders in various liver diseases. Lastly, we provide the clinical aspect of gallbladder disorders in liver diseases and ways to enhance diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for congruent diagnosis. © 2023 American Physiological Society. Compr Physiol 13:4909-4943, 2023.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ludovica Ceci
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
- Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic Medicine and Orthopedics Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Yuyan Han
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, Colorado, USA
| | - Kelsey Krutsinger
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, Colorado, USA
| | | | - Nan Wu
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Debjyoti Kundu
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Konstantina Kyritsi
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Tianhao Zhou
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Eugenio Gaudio
- Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic Medicine and Orthopedics Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Heather Francis
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
- Department of Research, Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Gianfranco Alpini
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
- Department of Research, Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Lindsey Kennedy
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
- Department of Research, Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
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16
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Sohal A, Chaudhry H, Kowdley KV. Genetic Markers Predisposing to Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis. Clin Liver Dis 2023; 27:333-352. [PMID: 37024211 DOI: 10.1016/j.cld.2023.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/08/2023]
Abstract
The growing prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has sparked interest in understanding genetics and epigenetics associated with the development and progression of the disease. A better understanding of the genetic factors related to progression will be beneficial in the risk stratification of patients. These genetic markers can also serve as potential therapeutic targets in the future. In this review, we focus on the genetic markers associated with the progression and severity of NAFLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aalam Sohal
- Liver Institute Northwest, 3216 Northeast 45th Place Suite 212, Seattle, WA 98105, USA
| | - Hunza Chaudhry
- Department of Internal Medicine, UCSF Fresno, 155 North Fresno Street, Fresno, CA 93722, USA
| | - Kris V Kowdley
- Liver Institute Northwest, 3216 Northeast 45th Place Suite 212, Seattle, WA 98105, USA; Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine, Washington State University, WA, USA.
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17
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Pirola CJ, Sookoian S. Editorial: NAFLD, chronic kidney disease, and pleiotropy-Why is PNPLA3 omnipresent? Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2023; 57:1180-1182. [PMID: 37094315 DOI: 10.1111/apt.17491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/26/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Carlos J Pirola
- Systems Biology of Complex Diseases, Centro de Altos Estudios en Ciencias Humanas y de la Salud (CAECIHS), Universidad Abierta Interamericana, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Silvia Sookoian
- Clinical and Molecular Hepatology, Centro de Altos Estudios en Ciencias Humanas y de la Salud (CAECIHS), Universidad Abierta Interamericana, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Odriozola A, Santos-Laso A, Del Barrio M, Cabezas J, Iruzubieta P, Arias-Loste MT, Rivas C, Duque JCR, Antón Á, Fábrega E, Crespo J. Fatty Liver Disease, Metabolism and Alcohol Interplay: A Comprehensive Review. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24097791. [PMID: 37175497 PMCID: PMC10178387 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24097791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Revised: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/07/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common cause of chronic liver disease worldwide, and its incidence has been increasing in recent years because of the high prevalence of obesity and metabolic syndrome in the Western population. Alcohol-related liver disease (ArLD) is the most common cause of cirrhosis and constitutes the leading cause of cirrhosis-related deaths worldwide. Both NAFLD and ArLD constitute well-known causes of liver damage, with some similarities in their pathophysiology. For this reason, they can lead to the progression of liver disease, being responsible for a high proportion of liver-related events and liver-related deaths. Whether ArLD impacts the prognosis and progression of liver damage in patients with NAFLD is still a matter of debate. Nowadays, the synergistic deleterious effect of obesity and diabetes is clearly established in patients with ArLD and heavy alcohol consumption. However, it is still unknown whether low to moderate amounts of alcohol are good or bad for liver health. The measurement and identification of the possible synergistic deleterious effect of alcohol consumption in the assessment of patients with NAFLD is crucial for clinicians, since early intervention, advising abstinence and controlling cardiovascular risk factors would improve the prognosis of patients with both comorbidities. This article seeks to perform a comprehensive review of the pathophysiology of both disorders and measure the impact of alcohol consumption in patients with NAFLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aitor Odriozola
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology Department, Clinical and Translational Research in Digestive Diseases, Valdecilla Research Institute (IDIVAL), Marqués de Valdecilla Universitary Hospital, Av. Valdecilla 25, 39008 Santander, Cantabria, Spain
| | - Alvaro Santos-Laso
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology Department, Clinical and Translational Research in Digestive Diseases, Valdecilla Research Institute (IDIVAL), Marqués de Valdecilla Universitary Hospital, Av. Valdecilla 25, 39008 Santander, Cantabria, Spain
| | - María Del Barrio
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology Department, Clinical and Translational Research in Digestive Diseases, Valdecilla Research Institute (IDIVAL), Marqués de Valdecilla Universitary Hospital, Av. Valdecilla 25, 39008 Santander, Cantabria, Spain
| | - Joaquín Cabezas
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology Department, Clinical and Translational Research in Digestive Diseases, Valdecilla Research Institute (IDIVAL), Marqués de Valdecilla Universitary Hospital, Av. Valdecilla 25, 39008 Santander, Cantabria, Spain
| | - Paula Iruzubieta
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology Department, Clinical and Translational Research in Digestive Diseases, Valdecilla Research Institute (IDIVAL), Marqués de Valdecilla Universitary Hospital, Av. Valdecilla 25, 39008 Santander, Cantabria, Spain
| | - María Teresa Arias-Loste
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology Department, Clinical and Translational Research in Digestive Diseases, Valdecilla Research Institute (IDIVAL), Marqués de Valdecilla Universitary Hospital, Av. Valdecilla 25, 39008 Santander, Cantabria, Spain
| | - Coral Rivas
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology Department, Clinical and Translational Research in Digestive Diseases, Valdecilla Research Institute (IDIVAL), Marqués de Valdecilla Universitary Hospital, Av. Valdecilla 25, 39008 Santander, Cantabria, Spain
| | - Juan Carlos Rodríguez Duque
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology Department, Clinical and Translational Research in Digestive Diseases, Valdecilla Research Institute (IDIVAL), Marqués de Valdecilla Universitary Hospital, Av. Valdecilla 25, 39008 Santander, Cantabria, Spain
| | - Ángela Antón
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology Department, Clinical and Translational Research in Digestive Diseases, Valdecilla Research Institute (IDIVAL), Marqués de Valdecilla Universitary Hospital, Av. Valdecilla 25, 39008 Santander, Cantabria, Spain
| | - Emilio Fábrega
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology Department, Clinical and Translational Research in Digestive Diseases, Valdecilla Research Institute (IDIVAL), Marqués de Valdecilla Universitary Hospital, Av. Valdecilla 25, 39008 Santander, Cantabria, Spain
| | - Javier Crespo
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology Department, Clinical and Translational Research in Digestive Diseases, Valdecilla Research Institute (IDIVAL), Marqués de Valdecilla Universitary Hospital, Av. Valdecilla 25, 39008 Santander, Cantabria, Spain
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Sookoian S, Pirola CJ. Genetics in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: The role of risk alleles through the lens of immune response. Clin Mol Hepatol 2023; 29:S184-S195. [PMID: 36472053 PMCID: PMC10029961 DOI: 10.3350/cmh.2022.0318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The knowledge on the genetic component of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has grown exponentially over the last 10 to 15 years. This review summarizes the current evidence and the latest developments in the genetics of NAFLD and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) from the immune system's perspective. Activation of innate and or adaptive immune response is an essential driver of NAFLD disease severity and progression. Lipid and immune pathways are crucial in the pathophysiology of NAFLD and NASH. Here, we highlight novel applications of genomic techniques, including single-cell sequencing and the genetics of gene expression, to elucidate the potential involvement of NAFLD/NASH-risk alleles in modulating immune system cells. Together, our focus is to provide an overview of the potential involvement of the NAFLD/NASH-related risk variants in mediating the immune-driven liver disease severity and diverse systemic pleiotropic effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Sookoian
- Clinical and Molecular Hepatology. Centro de Altos Estudios en Ciencias Humanas y de la Salud (CAECIHS), Universidad Abierta Interamericana, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Carlos J Pirola
- Systems Biology of Complex Diseases, Centro de Altos Estudios en Ciencias Humanas y de la Salud (CAECIHS), Universidad Abierta Interamericana, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
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20
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PNPLA3(I148M) Inhibits Lipolysis by Perilipin-5-Dependent Competition with ATGL. Cells 2022; 12:cells12010073. [PMID: 36611868 PMCID: PMC9818421 DOI: 10.3390/cells12010073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The single nucleotide polymorphism I148M of the lipase patatin-like phospholipase domain containing 3 (PNPLA3) is associated with an unfavorable prognosis in alcoholic and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (ASH, NASH), with progression to liver cirrhosis and development of hepatocellular carcinoma. In this study, we investigated the mechanistic interaction of PNPLA3 with lipid droplet (LD)-associated proteins of the perilipin family, which serve as gatekeepers for LD degradation. In a collective of 106 NASH, ASH and control liver samples, immunohistochemical analyses revealed increased ballooning, inflammation and fibrosis, as well as an accumulation of PNPLA3-perilipin 5 complexes on larger LDs in patients homo- and heterozygous for PNPLA3(I148M). Co-immunoprecipitation demonstrated an interaction of PNPLA3 with perilipin 5 and the key enzyme of lipolysis, adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL). Localization studies in cell cultures and human liver showed colocalization of perilipin 5, ATGL and PNPLA3. Moreover, the lipolytic activity of ATGL was negatively regulated by PNPLA3 and perilipin 5, whereas perilipin 1 displaced PNPLA3 from the ATGL complex. Furthermore, ballooned hepatocytes, the hallmark of steatohepatitis, were positive for PNPLA3 and perilipins 2 and 5, but showed decreased perilipin 1 expression with respect to neighboured hepatocytes. In summary, PNPLA3- and ATGL-driven lipolysis is significantly regulated by perilipin 1 and 5 in steatohepatitis.
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21
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Färkkilä M, Kautiainen H, Tenca A, Jokelainen K, Arola J. PNPLA3 allele frequency has no impact on biliary bile acid composition or disease course in patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0277084. [PMID: 36454904 PMCID: PMC9714899 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0277084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a chronic inflammatory disease that leads to bile duct strictures, cholestasis, and biliary cirrhosis. PNPLA3 (patatin-like phospholipase domain containing 3), regulates cellular lipid synthesis by converting lysophosphatidic acid into phosphatidic acid. Isoleucine mutation to methionine at position 148 (I148M) causes a loss of this function. Only two studies, with contradictory results, have evaluated the role of PNPLA3 in PSC. The rs738409(G) variant of PNPLA3 has been associated with an increased risk for transplantation in male patients with dominant strictures (DS). The study aimed to evaluate the PNPLA3 allele frequency effect on the clinical outcomes, progression, and prognosis of PSC. Furthermore, we analyzed the impact of PNPLA3 on phospholipid and bile acid composition to evaluate the effect of the PNPLA3 status on UDCA response. PATIENTS AND METHODS We recruited 560 patients prospectively and collected clinical and laboratory data as well as liver histology and imaging findings. PNPLA3 (CC, CG, GG) alleles were analyzed with TaqManTM. We also analyzed bile acids (BA), cholesterol and phospholipids and individual BA from a sample aspirated during endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC). RESULTS Among the recruited patients, 58.4%, 35.7% and 5.9% had the wild (CC), heterozygous (CG) and homozygous (GG) alleles, respectively. The PNPLA3 haplotype did not impact bile composition or individual BA. In addition, we found no differences in age at diagnosis, disease progression, liver fibrosis or survival between the cohorts. CONCLUSIONS The PNPLA3 I148M variant had no significant impact on on bile composition, including UDCA content, clinical outcomes, progression of liver fibrosis, hepatobiliary cancer risk, liver transplantation, or overall survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martti Färkkilä
- Department of Gastroenterology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
- * E-mail:
| | - Hannu Kautiainen
- Folkhälsan Research Center, Helsinki, Finland
- Institute of Public Health and Clinical Nutrition, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Andrea Tenca
- Department of Gastroenterology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Kalle Jokelainen
- Department of Gastroenterology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Johanna Arola
- Department of Pathology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
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22
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Oliveira CP. Should PNPLA3 polymorphism be performed in clinical practice in patients with NAFLD to predict the risk of disease progression? Hepatology 2022; 76:1246-1247. [PMID: 35384002 DOI: 10.1002/hep.32510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Claudia P Oliveira
- Department of Gastroenterology, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
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Vilar-Gomez E, Pirola CJ, Sookoian S, Wilson LA, Liang T, Chalasani N. PNPLA3 rs738409 and risk of fibrosis in NAFLD: Exploring mediation pathways through intermediate histological features. Hepatology 2022; 76:1482-1494. [PMID: 35349726 PMCID: PMC9519813 DOI: 10.1002/hep.32491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Revised: 02/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS It is unclear whether rs738409 (p.I148M) missense variant in patatin-like phospholipase domain-containing 3 rs738409 promotes fibrosis development by triggering specific fibrogenic pathways or by creating an unfavorable microenvironment by promoting steatosis, inflammation, and ultimately fibrosis. We tested the hypothesis that intermediate histologic traits, including steatosis, lobular and portal inflammation, and ballooning may determine the effect of rs738409 on liver fibrosis among individuals with biopsy-proven NAFLD. APPROACH AND RESULTS Causal mediation models including multiple mediators in parallel or sequentially were performed to examine the effect of rs738409, by decomposing its total effect on fibrosis severity into direct and indirect effects, mediated by histology traits in 1153 non-Hispanic White patients. Total effect of rs738409 on fibrosis was β = 0.19 (95% CI: 0.09-0.29). The direct effect of rs738409 on fibrosis after removing mediators' effects was β = 0.09 (95% CI: 0.01-0.17) and the indirect effect of rs738409 on fibrosis through all mediators' effects were β = 0.010 (95% CI: 0.04-0.15). Among all mediators, the greatest estimated effect size was displayed by portal inflammation (β = 0.09, 95% CI: 0.05-0.12). Among different sequential combinations of histology traits, the path including lobular inflammation followed by ballooning degeneration displayed the most significant indirect effect (β = 0.023, 95% CI: 0.011-0.037). Mediation analysis in a separate group of 404 individuals with biopsy-proven NAFLD from other races and ethnicity showed similar results. CONCLUSIONS In NAFLD, nearly half of the total effect of the rs738409 G allele on fibrosis severity could be explained by a direct pathway, suggesting that rs738409 may promote fibrosis development by activating specific fibrogenic pathways. A large proportion of the indirect effect of rs738409 on fibrosis severity is mediated through portal inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduardo Vilar-Gomez
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, US
| | - Carlos J. Pirola
- Molecular Genetics and Biology of Complex Diseases and Department of Clinical and Molecular Hepatology, Institute of Medical Research (IDIM), University of Buenos Aires-National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), Ciudad Autonoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Silvia Sookoian
- Molecular Genetics and Biology of Complex Diseases and Department of Clinical and Molecular Hepatology, Institute of Medical Research (IDIM), University of Buenos Aires-National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET), Ciudad Autonoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Laura A. Wilson
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD
| | - Tiebing Liang
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, US
| | - Naga Chalasani
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, US
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NAFLD in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Association with PNPLA3 and Metabolic Features. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10112719. [PMID: 36359239 PMCID: PMC9687705 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10112719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Revised: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of the rs738409 polymorphism in the patatin-like phospholipase domain containing 3 (PNPLA3) gene in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and its impact on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) risk and severity. We also evaluated other risk factors associated with NAFLD and advanced fibrosis. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study involving 163 patients with PCOS at a tertiary center. Genotyping for the PNPLA3 polymorphism was undertaken using a TaqMan assay. The degree of fibrosis was defined by transient elastography. Results: The prevalence of NAFLD was 72.4%, and the polymorphism was heterozygous in 41.7% and homozygous in 8% of patients. Homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance ≥ 2.5 was the main factor associated with the risk of developing NAFLD (OR = 4.313, p = 0.022), and its effect was amplified by the polymorphism (OR = 12.198, p = 0.017). Age > 32 years also conferred a higher risk for NAFLD. HDL values ≥ 50 mg/dL conferred protection against the outcome. Metabolic syndrome (OR = 13.030, p = 0.020) and AST > 32 U/L (OR = 9.039, p = 0.009) were independent risk factors for advanced fibrosis. Conclusions: In women with PCOS, metabolic characteristics are more relevant than PNPLA3 polymorphism regarding the risk for NAFLD and its advanced forms, but these factors can act synergistically, increasing disease risk.
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Heterogeneity of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD): Implication for cardiovascular risk stratification. Atherosclerosis 2022; 357:51-59. [PMID: 36058083 DOI: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2022.08.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Revised: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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Li G, Tang LJ, Zhu PW, Huang OY, Rios RS, Zheng KI, Chen SD, Ma HL, Targher G, Byrne CD, Pan XY, Zheng MH. PNPLA3 rs738409 C>G Variant Influences the Association Between Visceral Fat and Significant Fibrosis in Biopsy-proven Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. J Clin Transl Hepatol 2022; 10:439-448. [PMID: 35836754 PMCID: PMC9240254 DOI: 10.14218/jcth.2021.00286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Revised: 08/11/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Intra-abdominal visceral fat accumulation and patatin-like phospholipase domain containing 3 (PNPLA3) rs738409 G/C gene polymorphism confer a greater susceptibility to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). We examined whether the relationship between visceral fat accumulation and liver disease severity may be influenced by PNPLA3 rs738409 polymorphism. METHODS The variant of PNPLA3 rs738409 was genotyped within 523 Han individuals with biopsy-confirmed NAFLD. Visceral fat area (VFA) was measured by bioelectrical impedance. Significant liver fibrosis (SF), defined as stage F ≥2 on histology, was the outcome measure of interest. RESULTS The distribution of PNPLA3 genotypes was CC: 27.5%, CG: 48.2%, and GG: 24.3%. Higher VFA was associated with greater risk of having SF (adjusted-odds ratio [OR]: 1.03; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.02-1.04, p<0.05), independent of potential confounders. Among subjects with the same VFA level, the risk of SF was greater among carriers of the rs738409 G genotype than among those who did not. Stratified analysis showed that PNPLA3 rs738409 significantly influenced the association between VFA and SF. VFA remained significantly associated with SF only among the rs738409 G-allele carriers (adjusted-OR: 1.05; 95% CI: 1.03-1.08 for the GG group; and adjusted-OR:1.03; 95% CI: 1.01-1.04 for the GC group). There was a significant interaction between VFA and PNPLA3 rs738409 genotype (P interaction =0.004). CONCLUSIONS PNPLA3 rs738409 G allele has a moderate effect on the association between VFA and risk of SF in adult individuals with biopsy-proven NAFLD. Existence of the PNPLA3 rs738409 G allele and VFA interact to increase risk of SF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gang Li
- NAFLD Research Center, Department of Hepatology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Liang-Jie Tang
- NAFLD Research Center, Department of Hepatology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Pei-Wu Zhu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Ou-Yang Huang
- NAFLD Research Center, Department of Hepatology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Rafael S. Rios
- NAFLD Research Center, Department of Hepatology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Kenneth I. Zheng
- NAFLD Research Center, Department of Hepatology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Sui-Dan Chen
- Department of Pathology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Hong-Lei Ma
- NAFLD Research Center, Department of Hepatology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Giovanni Targher
- Section of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, University and Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Christopher D. Byrne
- Southampton National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital Southampton, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton, UK
| | - Xiao-Yan Pan
- Department of Endocrinology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Ming-Hua Zheng
- NAFLD Research Center, Department of Hepatology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Institute of Hepatology, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment for The Development of Chronic Liver Disease in Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Correspondence to: Ming-Hua Zheng, NAFLD Research Center, Department of Hepatology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, No. 2 Fuxue Lane, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325000, China. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4984-2631. Tel: +86-577-55579611, Fax: +86-577-55578522, E-mail:
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Abstract
Introduction: Fatty liver disease, defined by the presence of liver fat infiltration, is part of a cluster of disorders that occur in the context of metabolic syndrome. Epigenetic factors - defined as stable and heritable changes in gene expression without changes in the DNA sequence - may not only play an important role in the disease development in adulthood, but they may start exerting their influence in the prenatal stage.Areas covered: By using systems biology approaches, we review the main epigenetic modifications and highlight their likely roles in the pathogenesis of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.Expert opinion: Knowledge of the mechanisms by which epigenetic modifications participate in complex disorders would not only help scientists find novel therapeutic strategies but could also aid in implementing preventive care measures at gestation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Jose Pirola
- School of Medicine, Institute of Medical Research A Lanari, University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Department of Molecular Genetics and Biology of Complex Diseases, National Scientific and Technical Research Council (Conicet)-university of Buenos Aires. Institute of Medical Research (IDIM)
| | - Silvia Sookoian
- School of Medicine, Institute of Medical Research A Lanari, University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Department of Clinical and Molecular Hepatology, National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET)-University of Buenos Aires. Institute of Medical Research (IDIM), Buenos Aires, Argentina
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28
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Adnan M, Wajid A, Noor W, Batool A, Aasim M, Abbas K, Ain Q. Sociodemographic and genetic determinants of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. J Genet Eng Biotechnol 2022; 20:68. [PMID: 35486295 PMCID: PMC9054952 DOI: 10.1186/s43141-022-00349-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 04/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) showed significant association with PNPLA3 rs738409 polymorphism in unrelated individuals. However, it is still unknown whether the relationship of NAFLD with PNPLA3 variant exists or not among subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Therefore, the study aimed to evaluate sociodemographic and genetic determinants of NAFLD in type 2 diabetics. METHODS The cross-sectional analytical study was conducted at the Department of Molecular Biology, Virtual University of Pakistan, Lahore, Pakistan, during 2019-2020. A total of 153 known cases of T2DM were enrolled using convenience sampling. After excluding patients (n = 24) with HCV, alcoholism, or missing information, data from 129 eligible diabetics with and without NAFLD were analyzed using SPSS. Odds ratios using crosstabs and adjusted odds ratios using binary and multinomial logistic regression were calculated to measure the risk of NAFLD. RESULTS Adults 18-35 years were 7.0%, 36-55 years were 64.3%, ≥ 56 years were 28.7%, and females were 66.7%. A total of 41.1% of patients had obesity, 52.7% had NAFLD, and 29.05% carried mutant G allele of rs738409 polymorphism. Among overall diabetics, NAFLD showed association with female (OR = 2.998, p = 0.007), illiterate (OR = 3.067, p = 0.005), and obese (OR = 2.211, p = 0.046) but not with PNPLA3 genotype under any model (all p = > 0.05). Among obese diabetics, NAFLD showed association with female (AOR = 4.010, p = 0.029), illiterate (AOR = 3.506, p = 0.037), GG + CG/CC (AOR = 3.303, p = 0.033), and GG/CG + CC (AOR = 4.547, p = 0.034) using binary regression and with female (AOR = 3.411, p = 0.051), illiterate (AOR = 3.323, p = 0.048), GG + CG/CC (AOR = 3.270, p = 0.029), and GG/CG + CC (AOR = 4.534, p = 0.024) using multinomial regression. CONCLUSIONS NAFLD and obesity were the most common comorbid diseases of T2DM. Gender female, being illiterate, and PNPLA3 rs738409 polymorphism were significant risk factors of NAFLD among obese diabetic patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Adnan
- Health Research Institute, National Institute of Health, Lahore, Pakistan. .,Department of Molecular Biology, Virtual University of Pakistan, Lahore, Pakistan.
| | - Abdul Wajid
- Department of Molecular Biology, Virtual University of Pakistan, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Wasif Noor
- Diabetes Clinic, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Andleeb Batool
- Department of Zoology, Government College University, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Aasim
- Health Research Institute, National Institute of Health, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Kamran Abbas
- Department of Molecular Biology, Virtual University of Pakistan, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Quratul Ain
- Department of Molecular Biology, Virtual University of Pakistan, Lahore, Pakistan
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29
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Pirola CJ, Sookoian S. Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease: advances in genetic and epigenetic implications. Curr Opin Lipidol 2022; 33:95-102. [PMID: 34966133 DOI: 10.1097/mol.0000000000000814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Fatty liver associated with metabolic dysfunction, also known under the acronym NAFLD (nonalcoholic fatty liver disease) is the leading global cause of chronic liver disease. In this review, we address the state of research on genetics and epigenetics of NAFLD with focus on key discoveries and conceptual advances over the past 2 years. RECENT FINDINGS The analysis of NAFLD-associated genetic variant effects on the whole-transcriptome, including quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with gene expression (eQTL) or splicing (sQTL) may explain pleiotropic effects. Functional experiments on NAFLD-epigenetics, including profiling of liver chromatin accessibility quantitative trait loci (caQTL) show co-localization with numerous genome-wide association study signals linked to metabolic and cardiovascular traits. Novel studies provide insights into the modulation of the hepatic transcriptome and epigenome by tissue microbiotas. Genetic variation of components of the liver cellular respirasome may result in broad cellular and metabolic effects. Mitochondrial noncoding RNAs may regulate liver inflammation and fibrogenesis. RNA modifications as N6-methyladenosine may explain sex-specific differences in liver gene transcription linked to lipid traits. SUMMARY The latest developments in the field of NAFLD-genomics can be leveraged for identifying novel disease mechanisms and therapeutic targets that may prevent the morbidity and mortality associated with disease progression. VIDEO ABSTRACT http://links.lww.com/COL/A23.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos J Pirola
- Institute of Medical Research A Lanari, University of Buenos Aires, School of Medicine
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Biology of Complex Diseases, Institute of Medical Research (IDIM), National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET) - University of Buenos Aires
| | - Silvia Sookoian
- Institute of Medical Research A Lanari, University of Buenos Aires, School of Medicine
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Hepatology, Institute of Medical Research (IDIM), National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET) - University of Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Pirola CJ, Salatino A, Quintanilla MF, Castaño GO, Garaycoechea M, Sookoian S. The influence of host genetics on liver microbiome composition in patients with NAFLD. EBioMedicine 2022; 76:103858. [PMID: 35092912 PMCID: PMC8803595 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2022.103858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Revised: 01/15/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Human body microbiotas are influenced by several factors, including the interaction of the host with the environment and dietary preferences. The role of host genetics in modulating the liver microbiota in the context of NAFLD remains unknown. To address this gap, we examined the interplay between the liver metataxonomic profile and host genetics. Methods We obtained 16S rRNA gene sequences from liver biopsies and genotypes by Taqman-assays in 116 individuals. We compared taxon abundance at the genus level across host genotypes using dominant models of inheritance. We focused the analysis on variants influencing the risk/ protection against NAFLD-histological severity (PNPLA3-rs738409, TM6SF2-rs58542926, MBOAT7-rs641738, and HSD17B13-rs72613567) and a variant influencing macronutrient intake (FGF21-rs838133). We also explored the variants' combined effect via a polygenic risk score (PRS). Findings We identified at least 18 bacterial taxa associated with variants in the selected loci. Members of the Gammaproteobacteria class were significantly enriched in carriers of the rs738409 and rs58542926 risk-alleles, including Enterobacter (fold change [FC]=6.2) and Pseudoalteromonas (FC=2) genera, respectively. Lawsonella (1.6-FC), Prevotella_9 (FC=1.5), and Staphylococcus (FC=1.3) genera were enriched in rs838133-minor allele carriers, which is linked to sugar consumption and carbohydrate intake. Tyzzerella abundance (FC=2.64) exhibited the strongest association (p = 0.0019) with high PRS values (>4 risk alleles). The percentage of genus-level taxa variation explained by the PRS was ∼7.4%, independently of liver steatosis score and obesity. Interpretation We provided evidence that genetic variation may influence the liver microbial DNA composition. These observations may represent potentially actionable mechanisms of disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Jose Pirola
- University of Buenos Aires, School of Medicine, Institute of Medical Research A Lanari, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina; National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET)-University of Buenos Aires, Institute for Medical Research (IDIM), Department of Molecular Genetics and Biology of Complex Diseases, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Adrian Salatino
- University of Buenos Aires, School of Medicine, Institute of Medical Research A Lanari, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina; National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET)-University of Buenos Aires, Institute for Medical Research (IDIM), Department of Molecular Genetics and Biology of Complex Diseases, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Maria Florencia Quintanilla
- University of Buenos Aires, School of Medicine, Institute of Medical Research A Lanari, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina; National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET)-University of Buenos Aires, Institute for Medical Research (IDIM), Department of Molecular Genetics and Biology of Complex Diseases, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina; National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET)-University of Buenos Aires, Institute for Medical Research (IDIM), Department of Clinical and Molecular Hepatology, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Gustavo Osvaldo Castaño
- Liver Unit, Medicine and Surgery Department, Hospital Abel Zubizarreta, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Martin Garaycoechea
- Department of Surgery and CEMET, Hospital de Alta Complejidad en Red "El Cruce", Florencio Varela, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Silvia Sookoian
- University of Buenos Aires, School of Medicine, Institute of Medical Research A Lanari, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina; National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET)-University of Buenos Aires, Institute for Medical Research (IDIM), Department of Clinical and Molecular Hepatology, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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31
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Ramos MJ, Bandiera L, Menolascina F, Fallowfield JA. In vitro models for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: Emerging platforms and their applications. iScience 2022; 25:103549. [PMID: 34977507 PMCID: PMC8689151 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2021.103549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) represents a global healthcare challenge, affecting 1 in 4 adults, and death rates are predicted to rise inexorably. The progressive form of NAFLD, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), can lead to fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. However, no medical treatments are licensed for NAFLD-NASH. Identifying efficacious therapies has been hindered by the complexity of disease pathogenesis, a paucity of predictive preclinical models and inadequate validation of pharmacological targets in humans. The development of clinically relevant in vitro models of the disease will pave the way to overcome these challenges. Currently, the combined application of emerging technologies (e.g., organ-on-a-chip/microphysiological systems) and control engineering approaches promises to unravel NAFLD biology and deliver tractable treatment candidates. In this review, we will describe advances in preclinical models for NAFLD-NASH, the recent introduction of novel technologies in this space, and their importance for drug discovery endeavors in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Jimenez Ramos
- Centre for Inflammation Research, The University of Edinburgh, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK
| | - Lucia Bandiera
- Institute for Bioengineering, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3BF, UK.,Synthsys - Centre for Synthetic and Systems Biology, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3BF, UK
| | - Filippo Menolascina
- Institute for Bioengineering, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3BF, UK.,Synthsys - Centre for Synthetic and Systems Biology, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3BF, UK
| | - Jonathan Andrew Fallowfield
- Centre for Inflammation Research, The University of Edinburgh, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK
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32
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Ramos MJ, Bandiera L, Menolascina F, Fallowfield JA. In vitro models for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: Emerging platforms and their applications. iScience 2022; 25:103549. [PMID: 34977507 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) represents a global healthcare challenge, affecting 1 in 4 adults, and death rates are predicted to rise inexorably. The progressive form of NAFLD, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), can lead to fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. However, no medical treatments are licensed for NAFLD-NASH. Identifying efficacious therapies has been hindered by the complexity of disease pathogenesis, a paucity of predictive preclinical models and inadequate validation of pharmacological targets in humans. The development of clinically relevant in vitro models of the disease will pave the way to overcome these challenges. Currently, the combined application of emerging technologies (e.g., organ-on-a-chip/microphysiological systems) and control engineering approaches promises to unravel NAFLD biology and deliver tractable treatment candidates. In this review, we will describe advances in preclinical models for NAFLD-NASH, the recent introduction of novel technologies in this space, and their importance for drug discovery endeavors in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Jimenez Ramos
- Centre for Inflammation Research, The University of Edinburgh, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK
| | - Lucia Bandiera
- Institute for Bioengineering, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3BF, UK
- Synthsys - Centre for Synthetic and Systems Biology, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3BF, UK
| | - Filippo Menolascina
- Institute for Bioengineering, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3BF, UK
- Synthsys - Centre for Synthetic and Systems Biology, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3BF, UK
| | - Jonathan Andrew Fallowfield
- Centre for Inflammation Research, The University of Edinburgh, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK
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33
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Salatino A, Sookoian S, Pirola CJ. Computational Pipeline for Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) Studies in Genetics of NASH. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2455:203-222. [PMID: 35212996 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2128-8_16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
High-throughput sequencing (HTS) technologies have contributed to expand current knowledge of the biology of complex diseases, including nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Genome-wide association studies, whole exome sequencing, and sequencing of entire genes are used to identify variants and/or mutations that predispose to the disease pathogenesis. Here, we present a tutorial that may guide readers to manage high volume of genetics data in the context of Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrian Salatino
- School of Medicine, Institute of Medical Research A Lanari, University of Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Biology of Complex Diseases, Institute of Medical Research (IDIM), National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET)-University of Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Silvia Sookoian
- School of Medicine, Institute of Medical Research A Lanari, University of Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina.
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Hepatology, Institute of Medical Research (IDIM), National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET)-University of Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Carlos J Pirola
- School of Medicine, Institute of Medical Research A Lanari, University of Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina.
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Biology of Complex Diseases, Institute of Medical Research (IDIM), National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET)-University of Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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Meritsi A, Manesis E, Koussis P, Rapti S, Latsou D, Tsitsopoulos E, Moshoyianni H, Manolakopoulos S, Pektasides D, Thanopoulou A. PNPLA3 rs 738409 and Other Nongenetic Factors Associated with Hepatic Steatosis Estimated by Magnetic Resonance Imaging Proton Density Fat Fraction in Adult Greek Subjects with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Metab Syndr Relat Disord 2021; 20:124-131. [PMID: 34962148 DOI: 10.1089/met.2021.0098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is dramatically increasing in parallel with the pandemic of type 2 diabetes mellitus. We investigated factors associated with hepatic steatosis (HS) in adult Greek individuals with established type 2 diabetes mellitus. Materials and Methods: We investigated 120 consecutive people with type 2 diabetes attending the Diabetic Outpatient Clinic at an Academic Hospital in Athens, Greece. All of them had demographic, clinical, and biochemical data recorded. HS was estimated by magnetic resonance imaging determined by proton density fat fraction software and defined as the percentage of total liver fat divided by the liver volume. HS of >5% was considered abnormal. The PNPLA3 (I148M) variant was evaluated as a genetic factor by standard molecular techniques. FibroMax™ was also calculated. Results: Of the 120 participants, median age was 61.7, 46% were females, diabetes duration was 10 years, and HbA1c (glycated hemoglobin) was 6.7%. The median value of HS was 7.8. The PNPLA3 rs738409 CC/CG/GG genotype frequencies were 54.2%, 35%, and 10.8%, respectively. In multivariate analysis, PNPLA3 rs738409 (β = 0.425, P = 0.001), waist circumference (β = 2.448, P = 0.001), and female sex (β = 0.419, P = 0.002) had a direct association with HS, while duration of diabetes (β = -0.179, P = 0.011) had an inverse association with HS. Conclusions: HS in type 2 diabetes is the sum of interplay of various factors exerting a direct or an inverse association, the most prominent among them being abdominal obesity and PNPLA3 molecular variability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angeliki Meritsi
- Diabetic Center, 2nd Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | | | | | - Stamatia Rapti
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, Biomedicine SA, Athens, Greece
| | - Dimitra Latsou
- Department of Social and Educational Policy, University of Peloponnese, Corinth, Greece
| | | | | | - Spilios Manolakopoulos
- Liver & Gastrointestinal Unit, 2nd Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Dimitrios Pektasides
- 2nd Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Anastasia Thanopoulou
- Diabetic Center, 2nd Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
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35
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Cherubini A, Casirati E, Tomasi M, Valenti L. PNPLA3 as a therapeutic target for fatty liver disease: the evidence to date. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2021; 25:1033-1043. [PMID: 34904923 DOI: 10.1080/14728222.2021.2018418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION An interaction between metabolic triggers and inherited predisposition underpins the development and progression of non alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and fatty liver disease in general. Among the specific NAFLD risk variants, PNPLA3 rs738409 C>G, encoding for the p.I148M protein variant, accounts for the largest fraction of liver disease heritability and is being intensively scrutinized. It promotes intrahepatic lipid accumulation and is associated with lipotoxicity and the more severe phenotypes, including fibrosis and carcinogenesis. Therefore, PNPLA3 appears as an appealing therapeutic target to counter NAFLD progression. AREAS COVERED The scope of this review is to briefly describe the PNPLA3 gene and protein function before discussing therapeutic approaches for fatty liver aiming at this target. Literature review was carried out searching through PubMed and clinicaltrials.gov website and focusing on the most recent works and reviews. EXPERT OPINION The main therapeutic strategies under development for NAFLD have shown variable efficacy and side-effects likely due to disease heterogeneity and lack of engagement of the main pathogenic drivers of liver disease. To overcome these limitations, new strategies are becoming available for targeting PNPLA3 p.I148M, responsible for a large fraction of disease susceptibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Cherubini
- Precision Medicine - Department of Transfusion Medicine and Hematology, Fondazione Irccs Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Elia Casirati
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Università Degli Studi Di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Melissa Tomasi
- Precision Medicine - Department of Transfusion Medicine and Hematology, Fondazione Irccs Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Luca Valenti
- Precision Medicine - Department of Transfusion Medicine and Hematology, Fondazione Irccs Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy.,Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Università Degli Studi Di Milano, Milan, Italy
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36
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Meroni M, Longo M, Tria G, Dongiovanni P. Genetics Is of the Essence to Face NAFLD. Biomedicines 2021; 9:1359. [PMID: 34680476 PMCID: PMC8533437 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9101359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the commonest cause of chronic liver disease worldwide. It is closely related to obesity, insulin resistance (IR) and dyslipidemia so much so it is considered the hepatic manifestation of the Metabolic Syndrome. The NAFLD spectrum extends from simple steatosis to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), a clinical condition which may progress up to fibrosis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). NAFLD is a complex disease whose pathogenesis is shaped by both environmental and genetic factors. In the last two decades, several heritable modifications in genes influencing hepatic lipid remodeling, and mitochondrial oxidative status have been emerged as predictors of progressive hepatic damage. Among them, the patatin-like phospholipase domain-containing 3 (PNPLA3) p.I148M, the Transmembrane 6 superfamily member 2 (TM6SF2) p.E167K and the rs641738 membrane bound-o-acyltransferase domain-containing 7 (MBOAT7) polymorphisms are considered the most robust modifiers of NAFLD. However, a forefront frontier in the study of NAFLD heritability is to postulate score-based strategy, building polygenic risk scores (PRS), which aggregate the most relevant genetic determinants of NAFLD and biochemical parameters, with the purpose to foresee patients with greater risk of severe NAFLD, guaranteeing the most highly predictive value, the best diagnostic accuracy and the more precise individualized therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marica Meroni
- General Medicine and Metabolic Diseases, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Pad. Granelli, Via F Sforza 35, 20122 Milan, Italy; (M.M.); (M.L.); (G.T.)
| | - Miriam Longo
- General Medicine and Metabolic Diseases, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Pad. Granelli, Via F Sforza 35, 20122 Milan, Italy; (M.M.); (M.L.); (G.T.)
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, Università Degli Studi di Milano, 20122 Milano, Italy
| | - Giada Tria
- General Medicine and Metabolic Diseases, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Pad. Granelli, Via F Sforza 35, 20122 Milan, Italy; (M.M.); (M.L.); (G.T.)
| | - Paola Dongiovanni
- General Medicine and Metabolic Diseases, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Pad. Granelli, Via F Sforza 35, 20122 Milan, Italy; (M.M.); (M.L.); (G.T.)
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Arab JP, Dirchwolf M, Álvares-da-Silva MR, Barrera F, Benítez C, Castellanos-Fernandez M, Castro-Narro G, Chavez-Tapia N, Chiodi D, Cotrim H, Cusi K, de Oliveira CPMS, Díaz J, Fassio E, Gerona S, Girala M, Hernandez N, Marciano S, Masson W, Méndez-Sánchez N, Leite N, Lozano A, Padilla M, Panduro A, Paraná R, Parise E, Perez M, Poniachik J, Restrepo JC, Ruf A, Silva M, Tagle M, Tapias M, Torres K, Vilar-Gomez E, Costa Gil JE, Gadano A, Arrese M. Latin American Association for the study of the liver (ALEH) practice guidance for the diagnosis and treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Ann Hepatol 2021; 19:674-690. [PMID: 33031970 DOI: 10.1016/j.aohep.2020.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2020] [Accepted: 09/17/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) currently represents an epidemic worldwide. NAFLD is the most frequently diagnosed chronic liver disease, affecting 20-30% of the general population. Furthermore, its prevalence is predicted to increase exponentially in the next decades, concomitantly with the global epidemic of obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and sedentary lifestyle. NAFLD is a clinical syndrome that encompasses a wide spectrum of associated diseases and hepatic complications such as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Moreover, this disease is believed to become the main indication for liver transplantation in the near future. Since NAFLD management represents a growing challenge for primary care physicians, the Asociación Latinoamericana para el Estudio del Hígado (ALEH) has decided to organize this Practice Guidance for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, written by Latin-American specialists in different clinical areas, and destined to general practitioners, internal medicine specialists, endocrinologists, diabetologists, gastroenterologists, and hepatologists. The main purpose of this document is to improve patient care and awareness of NAFLD. The information provided in this guidance may also be useful in assisting stakeholders in the decision-making process related to NAFLD. Since new evidence is constantly emerging on different aspects of the disease, updates to this guideline will be required in future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Pablo Arab
- Departamento de Gastroenterología, Escuela de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
| | - Melisa Dirchwolf
- Unidad de Trasplante Hepático, Servicio de Hepatología, Hospital Privado de Rosario, Rosario, Argentina.
| | - Mário Reis Álvares-da-Silva
- Hepatology Division, Hospital de Clinicas de Porto Alegre, Brazil; School of Medicine, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil; Graduate Program in Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
| | - Francisco Barrera
- Departamento de Gastroenterología, Escuela de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
| | - Carlos Benítez
- Departamento de Gastroenterología, Escuela de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
| | | | - Graciela Castro-Narro
- Gastroenterology Department, National Institute of Medical Sciences and Nutrition "Salvador Zubirán", Mexico City, Mexico.
| | | | - Daniela Chiodi
- Hospital de Clínicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay.
| | - Helma Cotrim
- School of Medicine, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil.
| | - Kenneth Cusi
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
| | | | - Javier Díaz
- Departamento del Aparato Digestivo, Hospital Edgardo Rebagliati Martins, EsSalud, Lima, Peru.
| | - Eduardo Fassio
- Sección Hígado, Vías Biliares y Páncreas, Servicio de Gastroenterología, Hospital Nacional Profesor Alejandro Posadas, El Palomar, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Solange Gerona
- Liver Unit, Hospital de Fuerzas Armadas, Montevideo, Uruguay.
| | | | - Nelia Hernandez
- Hospital de Clínicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay.
| | | | - Walter Masson
- Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | | | - Nathalie Leite
- School of Medicine, Internal Medicine Department and Clementino Fraga Filho University Hospital, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
| | - Adelina Lozano
- Unidad de Hígado, Servicio de Gastroenterología, Hospital Nacional Arzobispo Loayza, Lima, Peru; Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru.
| | | | - Arturo Panduro
- Department of Molecular Biology in Medicine, Civil Hospital of Guadalajara, Fray Antonio Alcalde, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico.
| | - Raymundo Paraná
- School of Medicine, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil.
| | - Edison Parise
- Department of Gastroenterology, Federal University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Marlene Perez
- Hospital General de la Plaza de la Salud, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
| | - Jaime Poniachik
- Sección de Gastroenterología, Hospital Clínico Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
| | - Juan Carlos Restrepo
- Hepatobiliary and Liver Transplant Program, Hospital Pablo Tobon Uribe-Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia; Grupo Gastrohepatologia, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad of Antioquía UdeA, Medellin, Colombia.
| | - Andrés Ruf
- Unidad de Trasplante Hepático, Servicio de Hepatología, Hospital Privado de Rosario, Rosario, Argentina.
| | - Marcelo Silva
- Hepatology and Liver Transplant Unit, Hospital Universitario Austral, Pilar, Argentina.
| | - Martín Tagle
- Facultad de Medicina Alberto Hurtado, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru.
| | - Monica Tapias
- Hospital Universitario Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá, Bogotá, Colombia.
| | - Kenia Torres
- Hospital General de la Plaza de la Salud, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
| | - Eduardo Vilar-Gomez
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA.
| | | | - Adrian Gadano
- Liver Unit, Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Marco Arrese
- Departamento de Gastroenterología, Escuela de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
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Gibiino G, Sartini A, Gitto S, Binda C, Sbrancia M, Coluccio C, Sambri V, Fabbri C. The Other Side of Malnutrition in Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. Nutrients 2021; 13:nu13082772. [PMID: 34444932 PMCID: PMC8398715 DOI: 10.3390/nu13082772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Revised: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Steatohepatitis and hepatobiliary manifestations constitute some of the most common extra-intestinal manifestations of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). On the other hand, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) affects around 25% of the world’s population and is attracting ever more attention in liver transplant programs. To outline the specific pathways linking these two conditions is a pressing task for 21st-century researchers. We are accustomed to expecting the occurrence of fatty liver disease in obese people, but current evidence suggests that there are several different pathways also occurring in underweight patients. Genetic factors, inflammatory signals and microbiota are key players that could help in understanding the entire pathogenesis of NAFLD, with the aim of defining the multiple expressions of malnutrition. In the current review, we summarize the most recent literature regarding the epidemiology, pathogenesis and future directions for the management of NAFLD in patients affected by IBD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Gibiino
- Gastroenterology and Digestive Endoscopy Unit, Ospedale Morgagni-Pierantoni, AUSL Romagna, 47121 Forlì, Italy; (A.S.); (C.B.); (M.S.); (C.C.); (C.F.)
- Gastroenterology and Digestive Endoscopy Unit, Ospedale M.Bufalini, AUSL Romagna, 47521 Cesena, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-3488609557
| | - Alessandro Sartini
- Gastroenterology and Digestive Endoscopy Unit, Ospedale Morgagni-Pierantoni, AUSL Romagna, 47121 Forlì, Italy; (A.S.); (C.B.); (M.S.); (C.C.); (C.F.)
- Gastroenterology and Digestive Endoscopy Unit, Ospedale M.Bufalini, AUSL Romagna, 47521 Cesena, Italy
| | - Stefano Gitto
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, 50100 Florence, Italy;
| | - Cecilia Binda
- Gastroenterology and Digestive Endoscopy Unit, Ospedale Morgagni-Pierantoni, AUSL Romagna, 47121 Forlì, Italy; (A.S.); (C.B.); (M.S.); (C.C.); (C.F.)
- Gastroenterology and Digestive Endoscopy Unit, Ospedale M.Bufalini, AUSL Romagna, 47521 Cesena, Italy
| | - Monica Sbrancia
- Gastroenterology and Digestive Endoscopy Unit, Ospedale Morgagni-Pierantoni, AUSL Romagna, 47121 Forlì, Italy; (A.S.); (C.B.); (M.S.); (C.C.); (C.F.)
- Gastroenterology and Digestive Endoscopy Unit, Ospedale M.Bufalini, AUSL Romagna, 47521 Cesena, Italy
| | - Chiara Coluccio
- Gastroenterology and Digestive Endoscopy Unit, Ospedale Morgagni-Pierantoni, AUSL Romagna, 47121 Forlì, Italy; (A.S.); (C.B.); (M.S.); (C.C.); (C.F.)
- Gastroenterology and Digestive Endoscopy Unit, Ospedale M.Bufalini, AUSL Romagna, 47521 Cesena, Italy
| | - Vittorio Sambri
- Unit of Microbiology, The Great Romagna Hub Laboratory, 47522 Pievesestina, Italy;
- Unit of Microbiology, DIMES, University of Bologna, 40125 Bologna, Italy
| | - Carlo Fabbri
- Gastroenterology and Digestive Endoscopy Unit, Ospedale Morgagni-Pierantoni, AUSL Romagna, 47121 Forlì, Italy; (A.S.); (C.B.); (M.S.); (C.C.); (C.F.)
- Gastroenterology and Digestive Endoscopy Unit, Ospedale M.Bufalini, AUSL Romagna, 47521 Cesena, Italy
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Pafili K, Roden M. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) from pathogenesis to treatment concepts in humans. Mol Metab 2021; 50:101122. [PMID: 33220492 PMCID: PMC8324683 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmet.2020.101122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 144] [Impact Index Per Article: 48.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2020] [Revised: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 11/13/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) comprises hepatic alterations with increased lipid accumulation (steatosis) without or with inflammation (nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, NASH) and/or fibrosis in the absence of other causes of liver disease. NAFLD is developing as a burgeoning health challenge, mainly due to the worldwide obesity and diabetes epidemics. SCOPE OF REVIEW This review summarizes the knowledge on the pathogenesis underlying NAFLD by focusing on studies in humans and on hypercaloric nutrition, including effects of saturated fat and fructose, as well as adipose tissue dysfunction, leading to hepatic lipotoxicity, abnormal mitochondrial function, and oxidative stress, and highlights intestinal dysbiosis. These mechanisms are discussed in the context of current treatments targeting metabolic pathways and the results of related clinical trials. MAJOR CONCLUSIONS Recent studies have provided evidence that certain conditions, for example, the severe insulin-resistant diabetes (SIRD) subgroup (cluster) and the presence of an increasing number of gene variants, seem to predispose for excessive risk of NAFLD and its accelerated progression. Recent clinical trials have been frequently unsuccessful in halting or preventing NAFLD progression, perhaps partly due to including unselected cohorts in later stages of NAFLD. On the basis of this literature review, this study proposed screening in individuals with the highest genetic or acquired risk of disease progression, for example, the SIRD subgroup, and developing treatment concepts targeting the earliest pathophysiolgical alterations, namely, adipocyte dysfunction and insulin resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kalliopi Pafili
- Institute of Clinical Diabetology, German Diabetes Center, Leibniz Center for Diabetes Research, Düsseldorf, Germany; German Center for Diabetes Research, München-Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Michael Roden
- Institute of Clinical Diabetology, German Diabetes Center, Leibniz Center for Diabetes Research, Düsseldorf, Germany; German Center for Diabetes Research, München-Neuherberg, Germany; Division of Endocrinology and Diabetology, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany.
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Juanola O, Martínez-López S, Francés R, Gómez-Hurtado I. Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: Metabolic, Genetic, Epigenetic and Environmental Risk Factors. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18105227. [PMID: 34069012 PMCID: PMC8155932 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18105227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 117] [Impact Index Per Article: 39.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2021] [Revised: 04/29/2021] [Accepted: 05/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most frequent causes of chronic liver disease in the Western world, probably due to the growing prevalence of obesity, metabolic diseases, and exposure to some environmental agents. In certain patients, simple hepatic steatosis can progress to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which can sometimes lead to liver cirrhosis and its complications including hepatocellular carcinoma. Understanding the mechanisms that cause the progression of NAFLD to NASH is crucial to be able to control the advancement of the disease. The main hypothesis considers that it is due to multiple factors that act together on genetically predisposed subjects to suffer from NAFLD including insulin resistance, nutritional factors, gut microbiota, and genetic and epigenetic factors. In this article, we will discuss the epidemiology of NAFLD, and we overview several topics that influence the development of the disease from simple steatosis to liver cirrhosis and its possible complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oriol Juanola
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Translational Research Laboratory, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Università della Svizzera Italiana, 6900 Lugano, Switzerland
| | - Sebastián Martínez-López
- Clinical Medicine Department, Miguel Hernández University, 03550 San Juan de Alicante, Spain
- Alicante Institute for Health and Biomedical Research (ISABIAL), Hospital General Universitario de Alicante, 03010 Alicante, Spain
| | - Rubén Francés
- Clinical Medicine Department, Miguel Hernández University, 03550 San Juan de Alicante, Spain
- Alicante Institute for Health and Biomedical Research (ISABIAL), Hospital General Universitario de Alicante, 03010 Alicante, Spain
- Networked Biomedical Research Center for Hepatic and Digestive Diseases (CIBERehd), Institute of Health Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Isabel Gómez-Hurtado
- Alicante Institute for Health and Biomedical Research (ISABIAL), Hospital General Universitario de Alicante, 03010 Alicante, Spain
- Networked Biomedical Research Center for Hepatic and Digestive Diseases (CIBERehd), Institute of Health Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
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Akkiz H, Taskin E, Karaogullarindan U, Delik A, Kuran S, Kutlu O. The influence of RS738409 I148M polymorphism of patatin-like phospholipase domain containing 3 gene on the susceptibility of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Medicine (Baltimore) 2021; 100:e25893. [PMID: 34106646 PMCID: PMC8133255 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000025893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2020] [Accepted: 04/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
We aimed to elucidate the frequency of polymorphic genotypes and alleles of patatin-like phospholipase domain containing 3 rs738409 polymorphism and its possible associations with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis in a cohort from Turkey.We enrolled 200 patients diagnosed with NAFLD and genotyped for rs738409 I148M polymorphism by real-time polymerase chain reaction, particularly by melting curve analysis. SPSS analysis software was used for statistical significance. Continuous variable values were expressed as mean ± standard deviation. Significant statistical level was chosen as p = 0.05.Our results demonstrate in a cohort from Turkey that rs738409 C > G polymorphism (I148M) of patatin-like phospholipase domain containing 3 gene is significantly able to affect individuals to have NAFLD in unadjusted regression model.Consistent with the previous studies in other populations, our study group showed a significantly higher risk of having NAFLD in unadjusted regression model but not in the adjusted model indicating that non-genetic factors such as age and sex may be responsible for the association. However, independent studies need to validate our findings with a larger group of NAFLD patients, as well as in different ethnic cohorts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hikmet Akkiz
- Cukurova University, Medical Faculty, Department of Gastroenterology, Adana
| | - Emre Taskin
- Karabuk University, Medical Faculty, Department of Medical Biology and Genetics, Karabuk
| | | | - Anil Delik
- Cukurova University, Faculty of Natural and Applied Science, Department of Biology, Adana
| | - Sedef Kuran
- Cukurova University, Medical Faculty, Department of Gastroenterology, Adana
| | - Ozlem Kutlu
- Sabanci University Nanotechnology Research and Application Center, Istanbul, Turkey
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Pirola CJ, Sookoian S. The lipidome in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: actionable targets. J Lipid Res 2021; 62:100073. [PMID: 33845089 PMCID: PMC8121699 DOI: 10.1016/j.jlr.2021.100073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2021] [Revised: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 04/02/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become the most prevalent chronic liver disease. Recent technological advances, combined with OMICs experiments and explorations involving different biological samples, have uncovered vital aspects of NAFLD biology. In this review, we summarize recent work by our group and others that expands what is known about the role of lipidome in NAFLD pathogenesis. We discuss how pathway and enrichment analyses were performed by integrating a list of query metabolites derived from text-mining existing NAFLD-lipidomics studies, resulting in the identification of nine Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes dysregulated pathways, including biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids, butanoate metabolism, synthesis and degradation of ketone bodies, sphingolipid, arachidonic acid and pyruvate metabolism, and numerous nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug pathways predicted from The Small Molecule Pathway Database. We also summarize an integrated pathway-level analysis of genes and lipid-related metabolites associated with NAFLD, which shows overrepresentation of signal transduction, selenium micronutrient network, Class A/1Rhodopsin-like receptors and G protein-coupled receptor ligand binding, and G protein-coupled receptor downstream signaling. Generated gene-metabolite-disease interaction networks indicate that NAFLD and arterial hypertension are interlinked by molecular signatures. Finally, we discuss how mining pathways and associations among metabolites, lipids, genes, and proteins can be exploited to infer networks and potential pharmacological targets and how lipidomic studies may provide insight into the interrelationships among metabolite clusters that modify NAFLD biology, genetic susceptibility, diet, and the gut microbiome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos J Pirola
- Instituto de Investigaciones Médicas A Lanari, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina; Departamento de Genética y Biología Molecular de Enfermedades Complejas, Instituto of Investigaciones Médicas (IDIM), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET)-Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Silvia Sookoian
- Instituto de Investigaciones Médicas A Lanari, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina; Departamento de Hepatología Clínica y Molecular, Instituto of Investigaciones Médicas (IDIM), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET)-Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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Ma Y, Brown PM, Lin DD, Ma J, Feng D, Belyaeva OV, Podszun MC, Roszik J, Allen J, Umarova R, Kleiner DE, Kedishvili NY, Gavrilova O, Gao B, Rotman Y. 17-Beta Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase 13 Deficiency Does Not Protect Mice From Obesogenic Diet Injury. Hepatology 2021; 73:1701-1716. [PMID: 32779242 PMCID: PMC8627256 DOI: 10.1002/hep.31517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2020] [Revised: 07/07/2020] [Accepted: 07/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS 17-Beta hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 13 (HSD17B13) is genetically associated with human nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Inactivating mutations in HSD17B13 protect humans from NAFLD-associated and alcohol-associated liver injury, fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma, leading to clinical trials of anti-HSD17B13 therapeutic agents in humans. We aimed to study the in vivo function of HSD17B13 using a mouse model. APPROACH AND RESULTS Single-cell RNA-sequencing and quantitative RT-PCR data revealed that hepatocytes are the main HSD17B13-expressing cells in mice and humans. We compared Hsd17b13 whole-body knockout (KO) mice and wild-type (WT) littermate controls fed regular chow (RC), a high-fat diet (HFD), a Western diet (WD), or the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism model of alcohol exposure. HFD and WD induced significant weight gain, hepatic steatosis, and inflammation. However, there was no difference between genotypes with regard to body weight, liver weight, hepatic triglycerides (TG), histological inflammatory scores, expression of inflammation-related and fibrosis-related genes, and hepatic retinoid levels. Compared to WT, KO mice on the HFD had hepatic enrichment of most cholesterol esters, monoglycerides, and certain sphingolipid species. Extended feeding with the WD for 10 months led to extensive liver injury, fibrosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma, with no difference between genotypes. Under alcohol exposure, KO and WT mice showed similar hepatic TG and liver enzyme levels. Interestingly, chow-fed KO mice showed significantly higher body and liver weights compared to WT mice, while KO mice on obesogenic diets had a shift toward larger lipid droplets. CONCLUSIONS Extensive evaluation of Hsd17b13 deficiency in mice under several fatty liver-inducing dietary conditions did not reproduce the protective role of HSD17B13 loss-of-function mutants in human NAFLD. Moreover, mouse Hsd17b13 deficiency induces weight gain under RC. It is crucial to understand interspecies differences prior to leveraging HSD17B13 therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanling Ma
- Liver & Energy Metabolism Section,,Liver Diseases Branch, NIDDK, NIH, Bethesda, MD
| | - Philip M. Brown
- Liver & Energy Metabolism Section,,Liver Diseases Branch, NIDDK, NIH, Bethesda, MD
| | - Dennis D. Lin
- Liver & Energy Metabolism Section,,Liver Diseases Branch, NIDDK, NIH, Bethesda, MD
| | - Jing Ma
- Laboratory of Liver Diseases, NIAAA, NIH, Bethesda, MD
| | - Dechun Feng
- Laboratory of Liver Diseases, NIAAA, NIH, Bethesda, MD
| | - Olga V. Belyaeva
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Schools of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alabama – Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
| | - Maren C. Podszun
- Liver & Energy Metabolism Section,,Liver Diseases Branch, NIDDK, NIH, Bethesda, MD
| | - Jason Roszik
- Department of Melanoma Medical Oncology - Research, Division of Cancer Medicine,,Department of Genomic Medicine, Division of Cancer Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | | | | | - David E. Kleiner
- Laboratory of Pathology, Center for Cancer Research, NCI, NIH, Bethesda, MD
| | - Natalia Y. Kedishvili
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Schools of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alabama – Birmingham, Birmingham, AL
| | | | - Bin Gao
- Laboratory of Liver Diseases, NIAAA, NIH, Bethesda, MD
| | - Yaron Rotman
- Liver & Energy Metabolism Section,,Liver Diseases Branch, NIDDK, NIH, Bethesda, MD
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Impact of the Association Between PNPLA3 Genetic Variation and Dietary Intake on the Risk of Significant Fibrosis in Patients With NAFLD. Am J Gastroenterol 2021; 116:994-1006. [PMID: 33306506 PMCID: PMC8087619 DOI: 10.14309/ajg.0000000000001072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Accepted: 10/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION This study explored the relationship between patatin-like phospholipase domain-containing 3 gene (PNPLA3 rs738409), nutrient intake, and liver histology severity in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). METHODS PNPLA3-rs738409 variant was genotyped in 452 non-Hispanic whites with histologically confirmed NAFLD who completed Food Frequency Questionnaire within 6 months of their liver biopsy. The fibrosis severity on liver histology was the outcome of interest. RESULTS The distribution of PNPLA3 genotypes was CC: 28%, CG: 46%, and GG: 25%. High-carbohydrate (% of energy/d) intake was positively associated (adjusted [Adj] odds ratio [OR]: 1.03, P < 0.01), whereas higher n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) (g/d) (Adj. OR: 0.17, P < 0.01), isoflavones (mg/d) (Adj. OR: 0.74, P = 0.049), methionine (mg/d) (Adj. OR: 0.32, P < 0.01), and choline (mg/d) (Adj. OR: 0.32, P < 0.01) intakes were inversely associated with increased risk of significant fibrosis (stage of fibrosis ≥2). By using an additive model of inheritance, our moderation analysis showed that PNPLA3 rs738409 significantly modulates the relationship between carbohydrate (%), n-3 PUFAs, total isoflavones, methionine, and choline intakes and fibrosis severity in a dose-dependent, genotype manner. These dietary factors tended to have a larger and significant effect on fibrosis severity among rs738409 G-allele carriers. Associations between significant fibrosis and carbohydrates (Adj. OR: 1.04, P = 0.019), n-3 PUFAs (Adj. OR: 0.16, P < 0.01), isoflavones (Adj. OR: 0.65, P = 0.025), methionine (Adj. OR: 0.30, P < 0.01), and total choline (Adj. OR: 0.29, P < 0.01) intakes remained significant only among rs738409 G-allele carriers. DISCUSSION This gene-diet interaction study suggests that PNPLA3 rs738409 G-allele might modulate the effect of specific dietary nutrients on risk of fibrosis in patients with NAFLD.
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Dixon ED, Nardo AD, Claudel T, Trauner M. The Role of Lipid Sensing Nuclear Receptors (PPARs and LXR) and Metabolic Lipases in Obesity, Diabetes and NAFLD. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12050645. [PMID: 33926085 PMCID: PMC8145571 DOI: 10.3390/genes12050645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Revised: 04/23/2021] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are metabolic disorders characterized by metabolic inflexibility with multiple pathological organ manifestations, including non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Nuclear receptors are ligand-dependent transcription factors with a multifaceted role in controlling many metabolic activities, such as regulation of genes involved in lipid and glucose metabolism and modulation of inflammatory genes. The activity of nuclear receptors is key in maintaining metabolic flexibility. Their activity depends on the availability of endogenous ligands, like fatty acids or oxysterols, and their derivatives produced by the catabolic action of metabolic lipases, most of which are under the control of nuclear receptors. For example, adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) is activated by peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) and conversely releases fatty acids as ligands for PPARα, therefore, demonstrating the interdependency of nuclear receptors and lipases. The diverse biological functions and importance of nuclear receptors in metabolic syndrome and NAFLD has led to substantial effort to target them therapeutically. This review summarizes recent findings on the roles of lipases and selected nuclear receptors, PPARs, and liver X receptor (LXR) in obesity, diabetes, and NAFLD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Michael Trauner
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +43-140-4004-7410; Fax: +43-14-0400-4735
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Cariello M, Piccinin E, Moschetta A. Transcriptional Regulation of Metabolic Pathways via Lipid-Sensing Nuclear Receptors PPARs, FXR, and LXR in NASH. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol 2021; 11:1519-1539. [PMID: 33545430 PMCID: PMC8042405 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2021.01.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2020] [Revised: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease comprises a wide spectrum of liver injuries from simple steatosis to steatohepatitis and cirrhosis. Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is defined when liver steatosis is associated with inflammation, hepatocyte damage, and fibrosis. A genetic predisposition and environmental insults (ie, dietary habits, obesity) are putatively responsible for NASH progression. Here, we present the impact of the lipid-sensing nuclear receptors in the pathogenesis and treatment of NASH. In detail, we discuss the pros and cons of the putative transcriptional action of the fatty acid sensors (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors), the bile acid sensor (farnesoid X receptor), and the oxysterol sensor (liver X receptors) in the pathogenesis and bona fide treatment of NASH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marica Cariello
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Bari "Aldo Moro," Bari, Italy
| | - Elena Piccinin
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sense Organs, University of Bari "Aldo Moro," Bari, Italy
| | - Antonio Moschetta
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, University of Bari "Aldo Moro," Bari, Italy; National Institute for Biostructures and Biosystems (INBB), Rome, Italy; Scientific Institute for Research, Hospitalization and Healthcare (IRCCS) Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, Bari, Italy.
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Wong WK, Chan WK. Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Global Perspective. Clin Ther 2021; 43:473-499. [PMID: 33526312 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinthera.2021.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2020] [Revised: 12/31/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has been increasing over the years and is now as high in Asia as in the Western world, so much so that it should no longer be considered a Western disease. In fact, China is expected to have the largest increase in the number of NAFLD cases in the coming years. The increase in prevalence of NAFLD in Asia lags behind that of the Western world; thus, there will be a lag in more severe liver disease in Asia despite a similar prevalence of the disease. NAFLD is more prevalent among patients with diabetes mellitus, which is also an important risk factor for more severe liver disease. Patients with diabetes mellitus thus represent an important target for screening for NAFLD and more severe liver disease. Although the PNPLA3 gene polymorphism is the most studied in NAFLD, it is increasingly clear that the cumulative effect of multiple genes likely predisposes to NAFLD and more severe liver disease in the different ethnic groups, and polygenic risk scores are emerging. Lean NAFLD has been largely reported in Asia but is increasingly recognized worldwide. Multiple risk factors have been identified for the disease that manifests in metabolically unhealthy normal weight individuals; however, it responds to lifestyle intervention, similar to the disease in obese individuals. Lastly, the newer term "metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease" provides a more accurate reflection of the disease, giving more focus to clinicians and researchers in tackling this increasingly common and challenging disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Kei Wong
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology Unit, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Wah-Kheong Chan
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology Unit, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
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Albhaisi S, Sanyal AJ. Gene-Environmental Interactions as Metabolic Drivers of Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2021; 12:665987. [PMID: 34040583 PMCID: PMC8142267 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2021.665987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has emerged as a leading cause of chronic liver disease worldwide in the past few decades as a consequence of the global obesity epidemic and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. NAFLD is closely associated with components of the metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease, suggesting a plausible metabolic mechanistic basis. Metabolic inflexibility is considered a nidus for NAFLD pathogenesis, causing lipotoxicity, mitochondrial dysfunction and cellular stress leading to inflammation, apoptosis and fibrogenesis, thus mediating disease progression into nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and ultimately cirrhosis. In this review, we describe they key metabolic drivers that contribute to development of NAFLD and NASH, and we explain how NASH is a metabolic disease. Understanding the metabolic basis of NASH is crucial for the prevention and treatment of this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Somaya Albhaisi
- Department of Internal Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
| | - Arun J. Sanyal
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Department of Internal Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, United States
- *Correspondence: Arun J. Sanyal,
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Lee GH, Phyo WW, Loo WM, Kwok R, Ahmed T, Shabbir A, So J, Koh CJ, Hartono JL, Muthiah M, Lim K, Tan PS, Lee YM, Lim SG, Dan YY. Validation of genetic variants associated with metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease in an ethnic Chinese population. World J Hepatol 2020; 12:1228-1238. [PMID: 33442450 PMCID: PMC7772735 DOI: 10.4254/wjh.v12.i12.1228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Revised: 09/28/2020] [Accepted: 10/15/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Genetic factors play an important role in the pathogenesis and development of metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD).
AIM To study the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), previously identified in Western populations, with the risk of MAFLD in a Singapore Chinese population and their interactions with environmental and medical risk factors.
METHODS A retrospective case-control study was conducted with 72 MAFLD cases and 72 controls with no hepatic steatosis on computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, or controlled attenuation parameter score. Subjects were recruited from two tertiary hospitals. Genetic alleles such as NCAN, GCKR, LYPLAL1, PNPLA3, PPP1R3B, FDFT1, COL13A1, EFCAB4B, PZP, and TM6SF2 were genotyped using the TaqMan® Predesigned SNP Genotyping Assay.
RESULTS Weight and body mass index (BMI) were 1.2-times higher in patients (70.6 kg, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 57.1-84.1 vs 60.8 kg, 95%CI: 48.5-73.1, P < 0.001 and 26.9 kg, 95%CI: 23-40.8 vs 23.3 kg 95%CI: 19-27.6, P < 0.001 respectively). The prevalence of diabetes mellitus in patients was 40.3% and 20.8% in controls (P = 0.011). Patients had higher mean triglycerides than controls (P < 0.001). PNPLA3 GG was more likely to be associated with MAFLD (43.4% CC vs 69.7% GG, P = 0.017, and 44.8% CG vs 69.7% GG, P = 0.022). In multivariable analysis, hypertriglyceridemia (odds ratio [OR]: 2.04 95%CI: 1.3-3.1, P = 0.001), BMI (OR: 1.2 95%CI: 1.1-1.4, P < 0.001) and PNPLA3 GG (OR: 3.4 95%CI: 1.3-9.2, P = 0.014) were associated with MAFLD (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.823).
CONCLUSION Among the Chinese population of Singapore, PNPLA3 homozygous GG allele is a strong predictor of MAFLD, whereas LYPLAL1, GCKR, FDFT1, COL13A1, PZP, and TM6SF2 are not significantly associated. Hypertriglyceridemia, high BMI, and PNPLA3 GG are independent predictors of MAFLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guan Huei Lee
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, National University Health System, Singapore 119228, Singapore
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117597, Singapore
| | - Wah Wah Phyo
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117597, Singapore
| | - Wai Mun Loo
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, National University Health System, Singapore 119228, Singapore
| | - Raymond Kwok
- Department of Medicine, Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, Singapore 768828, Singapore
| | - Taufique Ahmed
- Department of Medicine, Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, Singapore 768828, Singapore
| | - Asim Shabbir
- Department of Surgery, National University Health System, Singapore 119228, Singapore
| | - Jimmy So
- Department of Surgery, National University Health System, Singapore 119228, Singapore
| | - Calvin Jianyi Koh
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, National University Health System, Singapore 119228, Singapore
| | - Juanda Leo Hartono
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, National University Health System, Singapore 119228, Singapore
| | - Mark Muthiah
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, National University Health System, Singapore 119228, Singapore
| | - Kieron Lim
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, National University Health System, Singapore 119228, Singapore
| | - Poh Seng Tan
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, National University Health System, Singapore 119228, Singapore
| | - Yin Mei Lee
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, National University Health System, Singapore 119228, Singapore
| | - Seng Gee Lim
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, National University Health System, Singapore 119228, Singapore
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117597, Singapore
| | - Yock Young Dan
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, National University Health System, Singapore 119228, Singapore
- Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117597, Singapore
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Kim U, Kim N, Shin HY. Modeling Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) Using "Good-Fit" Genome-Editing Tools. Cells 2020; 9:cells9122572. [PMID: 33271878 PMCID: PMC7760008 DOI: 10.3390/cells9122572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2020] [Revised: 11/27/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which affects both adults and children, is the most common liver disorder worldwide. NAFLD is characterized by excess fat accumulation in the liver in the absence of significant alcohol use. NAFLD is strongly associated with obesity, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, as well as specific genetic polymorphisms. Severe NAFLD cases can further progress to cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), or cardiovascular complications. Here, we describe the pathophysiological features and critical genetic variants associated with NAFLD. Recent advances in genome-engineering technology have provided a new opportunity to generate in vitro and in vivo models that reflect the genetic abnormalities of NAFLD. We review the currently developed NAFLD models generated using clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/CRISPR-associated protein 9 (CRISPR/Cas9) genome editing. We further discuss unique features of CRISPR/Cas9 and Cas9 variants, including base editors and prime editor, that are useful for replicating genetic features specific to NAFLD. We also compare advantages and limitations of currently available methods for delivering genome-editing tools necessary for optimal genome editing. This review should provide helpful guidance for selecting “good fit” genome-editing tools and appropriate gene-delivery methods for the successful development of NAFLD models and clinical therapeutics.
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