Compromised macrophages contribute to progression of MASH to hepatocellular carcinoma in FGF21KO mice

Sci Adv. 2024 Oct 25;10(43):eado9311. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.ado9311. Epub 2024 Oct 23.

Abstract

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis is well accepted as a potential precursor of hepatocellular carcinoma. Previously, we reported that fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) revealed a novel anti-inflammatory activity via inhibiting the TLR4-IL-17A signaling, which could be a potential anticarcinogenetic mechanism to prevent to MASH-HCC transition. Here, we set out to determine whether FGF21 has a major impact on Kupffer cells' (KCs) ability during MASH-HCC transition. We found aberrant hepatic FGF21 and KC pool in human MASH-HCC. Lack of FGF21 up-regulated ALOX15, which converted the oxidized fatty acids to induce excessive KC death and mobilization of monocyte-derived macrophages (MoMFs) for KC replacement. Lack of FGF21 oversupplied free fatty acids for sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) cascade synthesis to mediate MASH-HCC transition via S1P-YAP signaling and cross-talk between tumor cells and macrophages. In conclusion, lack of FGF21 accelerated MASH-HCC transition via the S1P-YAP signaling. Compromised MoMFs could present as tumor-associated macrophage phenotype rendering tumor immune microenvironment for MASH-HCC transition.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* / genetics
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* / metabolism
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* / pathology
  • Disease Progression
  • Fibroblast Growth Factors* / genetics
  • Fibroblast Growth Factors* / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Kupffer Cells* / metabolism
  • Liver Neoplasms* / genetics
  • Liver Neoplasms* / metabolism
  • Liver Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Lysophospholipids / metabolism
  • Macrophages* / immunology
  • Macrophages* / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout*
  • Signal Transduction
  • Sphingosine / analogs & derivatives
  • Sphingosine / metabolism
  • Tumor Microenvironment

Substances

  • Fibroblast Growth Factors
  • fibroblast growth factor 21
  • sphingosine 1-phosphate
  • Sphingosine
  • Lysophospholipids