Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) can progress from steatosis to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) characterized by liver inflammation, possibly leading to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Mice with impaired macrophage activation, when fed a high-fat diet, develop severe NASH. Evidence is mounting that Kupffer cells are implicated. However, it is unknown whether the resident CD68+ or bone marrow-derived CD11b+ Kupffer cells are involved. Characterization of the FSP1cre-Pparb/d−/− mouse liver revealed that FSP1 is expressed in CD11b+ Kupffer cells. Although these cells only constitute a minute fraction of the liver cell population, Pparb/d deletion in these cells led to remarkable hepatic phenotypic changes. We report that a higher lipid content was present in postnatal day 2 (P2) FSP1cre-Pparb/d−/− livers, which diminished after weaning. Quantification of total lipids and triglycerides revealed that P2 and week 4 of age FSP1cre-Pparb/d−/− livers have higher levels of both. qPCR analysis also showed upregulation of genes involved in fatty acid β-oxidation, and fatty acid and triglyceride synthesis pathways. This result is further supported by western blot analysis of proteins in these pathways. Hence, we propose that FSP1cre-Pparb/d−/− mice, which accumulate lipids in their liver in early life, may represent a useful animal model to study juvenile NAFLD.
Highlights
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is an emerging epidemic disease posing a major health issue worldwide
We demonstrated through double immunofluorescence staining that CD11b+CD68− liver macrophages, but not in other non-parenchymal hepatic cells, express Fibroblast-specific protein 1 (FSP1)
Our results support an earlier observation of FSP1-positive cells in a subpopulation of inflammatory Kupffer cells/macrophages in injured livers [31]
Summary
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is an emerging epidemic disease posing a major health issue worldwide. It is the most common cause of liver disease in humans. NAFLD has high prevalence ranging from 11% to 46% in developed countries [1,2,3]. NAFLD is an inclusive term that is used to cover a range of liver pathologies. It begins with steatosis, where lipid accumulation in the hepatocytes is caused by an impaired triglyceride synthesis, a reduced fatty acid β-oxidation, or both. Patients with steatosis can progress to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), a more severe form of NAFLD. The majority of individuals with NAFLD are asymptomatic. Individuals who are either diabetic, obese, or suffer from metabolic syndrome will be suspected to have NAFLD [5]
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