Induction of MASH-like pathogenesis in the Nwd1-/- mouse liver

Abstract

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stores Ca²⁺ and plays crucial roles in protein folding, lipid transfer, and it's perturbations trigger an ER stress. In the liver, chronic ER stress is involved in the pathogenesis of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). Dysfunction of sarco/endoplasmic reticulum calcium ATPase (SERCA2), a key regulator of Ca²⁺ transport from the cytosol to ER, is associated with the induction of ER stress and lipid droplet formation. We previously identified NACHT and WD repeat domain-containing protein 1 (Nwd1) localized at the ER and mitochondria. However, the physiological significance of Nwd1 outside the brain remains unclear. In this study, we revealed that Nwd1^-/- mice exhibited pathological manifestations comparable to MASH. Nwd1 interacts with SERCA2 near ER membranes. Nwd1^-/- livers exhibited reduced SERCA2 ATPase activity and a smaller Ca²⁺ pool in the ER, leading to an exacerbated state of ER stress. These findings highlight the importance of SERCA2 activity mediated by Nwd1 in the pathogenesis of MASH.