TIR8 protects against nonalcoholic steatohepatitis by antagonizing lipotoxicity-induced PPARα downregulation and reducing the sensitivity of hepatocytes to LPS

Abstract

In up to one-third of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) patients, simple steatosis progresses to its more severe form, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), but the precise mechanisms underlying this transition are not fully understood. Toll/interleukin-1 receptor 8 (TIR8), a conventional innate immune regulator highly expressed in hepatic tissue, has shown potential for ameliorating various inflammation-related disorders. However, its role in NASH pathogenesis, especially its regulatory effects on lipid metabolism and inflammatory responses, is still unclear. Here, using a TIR8 knockout (TIR8KO) mouse model and mass spectrometry analyses, we found that TIR8KO mice displayed aggravated hepatic steatosis and inflammation, whereas TIR8 overexpression attenuated these adverse effects. Ectopic TIR8 expression counteracts free fatty acid (FFA)-induced PPARα inhibition and downstream signaling. A decrease in TIR8 levels in hepatocytes heightened lipopolysaccharide (LPS) sensitivity. Notably, FFA stimulation led to a direct interaction between TIR8 and proteasome subunit alpha type 4 (PSMA4), facilitating TIR8 degradation. These results revealed that TIR8 safeguards PPARα-regulated lipid metabolism and mitigates inflammation induced by external factors during NASH progression. Our study highlights TIR8 as a promising target for NASH therapy, indicating the potential of TIR8 agonists in treatment strategies.