Intestinal IL-33 promotes microbiota-derived trimethylamine N -oxide synthesis and drives metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease progression by exerting dual regulation on HIF-1α.

Abstract

Background and aims: Gut microbiota plays a prominent role in the pathogenesis of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). IL-33 is highly expressed at mucosal barrier sites and regulates intestinal homeostasis. Herein, we aimed to investigate the role and mechanism of intestinal IL-33 in MASLD.

Approach and results: In both humans and mice with MASLD, hepatic expression of IL-33 and its receptor suppression of tumorigenicity 2 (ST2) showed no significant change compared to controls, while serum soluble ST2 levels in humans, as well as intestinal IL-33 and ST2 expression in mice were significantly increased in MASLD. Deletion of global or intestinal IL-33 in mice alleviated metabolic disorders, inflammation, and fibrosis associated with MASLD by reducing intestinal barrier permeability and rectifying gut microbiota dysbiosis. Transplantation of gut microbiota from IL-33 deficiency mice prevented MASLD progression in wild-type mice. Moreover, IL-33 deficiency resulted in a decrease in the abundance of trimethylamine N -oxide-producing bacteria. Inhibition of trimethylamine N -oxide synthesis by 3,3-dimethyl-1-butanol mitigated hepatic oxidative stress in mice with MASLD. Nuclear IL-33 bound to hypoxia-inducible factor-1α and suppressed its activation, directly damaging the integrity of the intestinal barrier. Extracellular IL-33 destroyed the balance of intestinal Th1/Th17 and facilitated Th1 differentiation through the ST2- Hif1a - Tbx21 axis. Knockout of ST2 resulted in a diminished MASLD phenotype resembling that observed in IL-33 deficiency mice.

Conclusions: Intestinal IL-33 enhanced gut microbiota-derived trimethylamine N -oxide synthesis and aggravated MASLD progression through dual regulation on hypoxia-inducible factor-1α. Targeting IL-33 and its associated microbiota may provide a potential therapeutic strategy for managing MASLD.