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Lee Y, Cho EJ, Choe EK, Kwak MS, Yang JI, Oh SW, Yim JY, Chung GE. Genome-wide association study of metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease in a Korean population. Sci Rep 2024; 14:9753. [PMID: 38679617 PMCID: PMC11056367 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-60152-0] [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: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Genome-wide association studies have identified several genetic variants associated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. To emphasize metabolic abnormalities in fatty liver, metabolic (dysfunction)-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) has been introduced; thus, we aimed to investigate single-nucleotide polymorphisms related to MAFLD and its subtypes. A genome-wide association study was performed to identify genetic factors related to MAFLD. We used a Korean population-based sample of 2282 subjects with MAFLD and a control group of 4669. We replicated the results in a validation sample which included 639 patients with MAFLD and 1578 controls. Additionally, we categorized participants into three groups, no MAFLD, metabolic dysfunction (MD)-MAFLD, and overweight/obese-MAFLD. After adjusting for age, sex, and principal component scores, rs738409 [risk allele G] and rs3810622 [risk allele T], located in the PNPLA3 gene, showed significant associations with MAFLD (P-values, discovery set = 1.60 × 10-15 and 4.84 × 10-10; odds ratios, 1.365 and 1.284, validation set = 1.39 × 10-4, and 7.15 × 10-4, odds ratios, 1.299 and 1.264, respectively). An additional SNP rs59148799 [risk allele G] located in the GATAD2A gene showed a significant association with MAFLD (P-values, discovery set = 2.08 × 10-8 and validation set = 0.034, odds ratios, 1.387 and 1.250). rs738409 was significantly associated with MAFLD subtypes ([overweight/obese-MAFLD; odds ratio (95% confidence interval), P-values, 1.515 (1.351-1.700), 1.43 × 10-12 and MD-MAFLD: 1.300 (1.191-1.416), 2.90 × 10-9]. There was a significant relationship between rs3810622 and overweight/obese-MAFLD and MD-MAFLD [odds ratios (95% confidence interval), P-values, 1.418 (1.258, 1.600), 1.21 × 10-8 and 1.225 (1.122, 1.340), 7.06 × 10-6, respectively]; the statistical significance remained in the validation set. PNPLA3 was significantly associated with MAFLD and MAFLD subtypes in the Korean population. These results indicate that genetic factors play an important role in the pathogenesis of MAFLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Young Lee
- Veterans Medical Research Institute, Veterans Health Service Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Applied Statistics, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun Ju Cho
- Department of Internal Medicine and Liver Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun Kyung Choe
- Department of Healthcare Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital Healthcare System Gangnam Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Min-Sun Kwak
- Department of Healthcare Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital Healthcare System Gangnam Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jong In Yang
- Department of Healthcare Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital Healthcare System Gangnam Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung-Won Oh
- Department of Healthcare Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital Healthcare System Gangnam Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Department of Family Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital Healthcare System Gangnam Center, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeong Yoon Yim
- Department of Healthcare Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital Healthcare System Gangnam Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Goh Eun Chung
- Department of Internal Medicine and Liver Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
- Department of Healthcare Research Institute, Seoul National University Hospital Healthcare System Gangnam Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
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Sun YD, Zhang H, Li YM, Han JJ. Abnormal metabolism in hepatic stellate cells: Pandora's box of MAFLD related hepatocellular carcinoma. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2024; 1879:189086. [PMID: 38342420 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2024.189086] [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: 09/25/2023] [Revised: 12/25/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/13/2024]
Abstract
Metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is a significant risk factor for the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), as key mediators in liver injury response, are believed to play a crucial role in the repair process of liver injury. However, in MAFLD patients, the normal metabolic and immunoregulatory mechanisms of HSCs become disrupted, leading to disturbances in the local microenvironment. Abnormally activated HSCs are heavily involved in the initiation and progression of HCC. The metabolic disorders and abnormal activation of HSCs not only initiate liver fibrosis but also contribute to carcinogenesis. In this review, we provide an overview of recent research progress on the relationship between the abnormal metabolism of HSCs and the local immune system in the liver, elucidating the mechanisms of immune imbalance caused by abnormally activated HSCs in MAFLD patients. Based on this understanding, we discuss the potential and challenges of metabolic-based and immunology-based mechanisms in the treatment of MAFLD-related HCC, with a specific focus on the role of HSCs in HCC progression and their potential as targets for anti-cancer therapy. This review aims to enhance researchers' understanding of the importance of HSCs in maintaining normal liver function and highlights the significance of HSCs in the progression of MAFLD-related HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan-Dong Sun
- Department of Interventional Radiology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute Affiliated Shandong First Medical University, Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, China
| | - Hao Zhang
- Department of Interventional Radiology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute Affiliated Shandong First Medical University, Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, China
| | - Yuan-Min Li
- NHC Key Laboratory of Transplant Engineering and Immunology, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, China
| | - Jian-Jun Han
- Department of Interventional Radiology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute Affiliated Shandong First Medical University, Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, China.
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Habibullah M, Jemmieh K, Ouda A, Haider MZ, Malki MI, Elzouki AN. Metabolic-associated fatty liver disease: a selective review of pathogenesis, diagnostic approaches, and therapeutic strategies. Front Med (Lausanne) 2024; 11:1291501. [PMID: 38323033 PMCID: PMC10845138 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2024.1291501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is a novel terminology introduced in 2020 to provide a more accurate description of fatty liver disease associated with metabolic dysfunction. It replaces the outdated term nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and aims to improve diagnostic criteria and tailored treatment strategies for the disease. NAFLD, the most prevalent liver disease in western industrialized nations, has been steadily increasing in prevalence and is associated with serious complications such as cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. It is also linked to insulin resistance syndrome and cardiovascular diseases. However, current studies on NAFLD have limitations in meeting necessary histological endpoints. Objective This literature review aims to consolidate recent knowledge and discoveries concerning MAFLD, integrating the diverse aspects of the disease. Specifically, it focuses on analyzing the diagnostic criteria for MAFLD, differentiating it from NAFLD and alcoholic fatty liver disease (AFLD), and exploring the epidemiology, clinical manifestations, pathogenesis, and management approaches associated with MAFLD. The review also explores the associations between MAFLD and other conditions. It discusses the heightened mortality risk associated with MAFLD and its link to chronic kidney disease (CKD), showing that MAFLD exhibits enhanced diagnostic accuracy for identifying patients with CKD compared to NAFLD. The association between MAFLD and incident/prevalent CKD is supported by cohort studies and meta-analyses. Conclusion This literature review highlights the importance of MAFLD as a distinct terminology for fatty liver disease associated with metabolic dysfunction. The review provides insights into the diagnostic criteria, associations with CKD, and management approaches for MAFLD. Further research is needed to develop more accurate diagnostic tools for advanced fibrosis in MAFLD and to explore the underlying mechanisms linking MAFLD with other conditions. This review serves as a valuable resource for researchers and healthcare professionals seeking a comprehensive understanding of MAFLD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Khaleed Jemmieh
- College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Amr Ouda
- College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | | | | | - Abdel-Naser Elzouki
- College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
- Internal Medicine Department, Hamad General Hospital, Doha, Qatar
- Weill Cornell Medical Qatar, Doha, Qatar
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Shi F, Zhao M, Zheng S, Zheng L, Wang H. Advances in genetic variation in metabolism-related fatty liver disease. Front Genet 2023; 14:1213916. [PMID: 37753315 PMCID: PMC10518415 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1213916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Metabolism-related fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is the most common form of chronic liver disease in the world. Its pathogenesis is influenced by both environmental and genetic factors. With the upgrading of gene screening methods and the development of human genome project, whole genome scanning has been widely used to screen genes related to MAFLD, and more and more genetic variation factors related to MAFLD susceptibility have been discovered. There are genetic variants that are highly correlated with the occurrence and development of MAFLD, and there are genetic variants that are protective of MAFLD. These genetic variants affect the development of MAFLD by influencing lipid metabolism and insulin resistance. Therefore, in-depth analysis of different mechanisms of genetic variation and targeting of specific genetic variation genes may provide a new idea for the early prediction and diagnosis of diseases and individualized precision therapy, which may be a promising strategy for the treatment of MAFLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fan Shi
- School of Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, China
| | - Mei Zhao
- School of Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, China
| | - Shudan Zheng
- School of Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, China
| | - Lihong Zheng
- Department of Internal Medicine, Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, China
| | - Haiqiang Wang
- Department of Internal Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, China
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Chen Y, Wang W, Morgan MP, Robson T, Annett S. Obesity, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma: current status and therapeutic targets. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1148934. [PMID: 37361533 PMCID: PMC10286797 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1148934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Obesity is a global epidemic and overwhelming evidence indicates that it is a risk factor for numerous cancers, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Obesity-associated hepatic tumorigenesis develops from nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), progressing to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), cirrhosis and ultimately to HCC. The rising incidence of obesity is resulting in an increased prevalence of NAFLD and NASH, and subsequently HCC. Obesity represents an increasingly important underlying etiology of HCC, in particular as the other leading causes of HCC such as hepatitis infection, are declining due to effective treatments and vaccines. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of the molecular mechanisms and cellular signaling pathways involved in the pathogenesis of obesity-associated HCC. We summarize the preclinical experimental animal models available to study the features of NAFLD/NASH/HCC, and the non-invasive methods to diagnose NAFLD, NASH and early-stage HCC. Finally, since HCC is an aggressive tumor with a 5-year survival of less than 20%, we will also discuss novel therapeutic targets for obesity-associated HCC and ongoing clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinshuang Chen
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin, Ireland
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Weipeng Wang
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Maria P. Morgan
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Tracy Robson
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Stephanie Annett
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin, Ireland
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Griffett K, Burris TP. Development of LXR inverse agonists to treat MAFLD, NASH, and other metabolic diseases. Front Med (Lausanne) 2023; 10:1102469. [PMID: 36817797 PMCID: PMC9932051 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1102469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Activation of LXR activity by synthetic agonists has been the focus of many drug discovery efforts with a focus on treatment of dyslipidemia and atherosclerosis. Many agonists have been developed, but all have been hindered due to their ability to efficaciously stimulate de novo lipogenesis. Here, we review the development of LXR inverse agonists that were originally optimized for their ability to enable recruitment of corepressors leading to silencing of genes that drive de novo lipogenesis. Such compounds have efficacy in animal models of MAFLD, dyslipidemia, and cancer. Several classes of LXR inverse agonists have been identified and one is now in clinical trials for treatment of severe dyslipidemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristine Griffett
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, United States
| | - Thomas P. Burris
- The University of Florida Genetics Institute, Gainesville, FL, United States,*Correspondence: Thomas P. Burris,
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Liu H, Huang Y, Lu S, Yuan D, Liu J. Global Trends of Lipid Metabolism Research in Epigenetics Field: A Bibliometric Analysis from 2012-2021. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:ijerph20032382. [PMID: 36767748 PMCID: PMC9915870 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20032382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Most common diseases are characterized by metabolic changes, among which lipid metabolism is a hotspot. Numerous studies have demonstrated a strong correlation between epigenetics and lipid metabolism. This study of publications on the epigenetics of lipid metabolism searched in the Web of Science Core Collection from 2012 to 2022, and a total of 3685 publications were retrieved. Much of our work focused on collecting the data of annual outputs, high-yielding countries and authors, vital journals, keywords and citations for qualitative and quantitative analysis. In the past decade, the overall number of publications has shown an upward trend. China (1382, 26.69%), the United States (1049, 20.26%) and Italy (206, 3.98%) were the main contributors of outputs. The Chinese Academy of Sciences and Yale University were significant potential cooperation institutions. Articles were mainly published in the "International Journal of Molecular Sciences". In addition to typical liver-related diseases, "ferroptosis", "diabetes" and "atherosclerosis" were identified as potential research topics. "NF-κB" and "oxidative stress" were referred to frequently in publications. METTL3 and ALKBH5 were the most discussed m6A-related enzymes in 2022. Our study revealed research hotspots and new trends in the epigenetics of lipid metabolism, hoping to provide significant information and inspiration for researchers to further explore new directions.
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Sulaiman SA, Dorairaj V, Adrus MNH. Genetic Polymorphisms and Diversity in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD): A Mini Review. Biomedicines 2022; 11:106. [PMID: 36672614 PMCID: PMC9855725 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11010106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2022] [Revised: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common liver disease with a wide spectrum of liver conditions ranging from hepatic steatosis to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. The prevalence of NAFLD varies across populations, and different ethnicities have specific risks for the disease. NAFLD is a multi-factorial disease where the genetics, metabolic, and environmental factors interplay and modulate the disease's development and progression. Several genetic polymorphisms have been identified and are associated with the disease risk. This mini-review discussed the NAFLD's genetic polymorphisms and focusing on the differences in the findings between the populations (diversity), including of those reports that did not show any significant association. The challenges of genetic diversity are also summarized. Understanding the genetic contribution of NAFLD will allow for better diagnosis and management explicitly tailored for the various populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siti Aishah Sulaiman
- UKM Medical Molecular Biology Institute (UMBI), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Jalan Yaa’cob Latiff, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur 56000, Malaysia; (V.D.); (M.N.H.A.)
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