MyD88 in hepatic stellate cells promotes the development of alcoholic fatty liver via the AKT pathway

Myeloid differentiation primary response gene 88 (MyD88), an adaptor protein in the Toll-like receptors (TLRs) signalling pathway, is expressed in various liver cells including hepatocytes, Kupffer cells and hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). And yet, the functional role of MyD88 in HSCs is poorly elucidated in alcoholic fatty liver (AFL). Here, to study the functional role of MyD88 in HSCs and the molecular mechanism related to the development of AFL, chronic-binge ethanol mouse models were established in mice with specific MyD88 knockout in quiescent (MyD88(GFAP-KO)) and activated HSCs (MyD88(SMA-KO)), respectively. Our results clearly showed an elevated expression of MyD88 in liver tissues of ethanol treated mouse model which harbours the wild type. Intriguingly, ethanol treatment profoundly inhibited inflammation in both MyD88(GFAP-KO) and MyD88(SMA-KO) mice, but the suppression of lipogenesis was only observed in MyD88(GFAP-KO) mice. Molecularly, our study indicated that MyD88 induced osteopontin (OPN) secretion in HSCs, which consequently resulted in activation of AKT signalling pathway and accumulation of fat in hepatocytes. Additionally, our data also suggested that OPN promoted inflammation by activating p-STAT1. Thus, targeting MyD88 may be a potentially represent a promising strategy for the prevention and treatment of AFL. Key messages The expression of MyD88 in HSCs was significantly increased in ethanol-induced liver tissues of wild-type mice. MyD88 deficiency in quiescent HSCs inhibited inflammation and lipogenesis under the ethanol feeding condition. MyD88 deficiency in activated HSCs only inhibited inflammation under the ethanol feeding condition. MyD88 promoted the OPN secretion of HSCs, which further activated the AKT signalling pathway of hepatocytes and upregulated lipogenic gene expression to promote fat accumulation. OPN also promotes inflammation by activating p-STAT1.

Automated summary

This study reveals the important role of MyD88 in hepatic stellate cells in alcoholic fatty liver. The results show that the high expression of MyD88 in hepatocytes is associated with ethanol treatment and promotes fat accumulation by inducing OPN secretion and activating the AKT signaling pathway, while also promoting inflammation through activating p-STAT1. In addition, MyD88 knockout can suppress inflammation and lipogenesis, which may be a potential strategy for the treatment of alcoholic fatty liver.