The immunological interface: dendritic cells as key regulators in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease.

Abstract

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) refers to a broad spectrum of conditions associating fat accumulation in the liver (steatosis) with varying degrees of inflammation (hepatitis) and fibrosis, which can progress to cirrhosis and potentially cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma). The first stages of these diseases are reversible and the immune system, together with metabolic factors (obesity, insulin resistance, Western diet, etc.), can influence the disease trajectory leading to progression or regression. Dendritic cells are professional antigen-presenting cells that constantly sense environmental stimuli and orchestrate immune responses. Herein, we discuss the existing literature on the heterogeneity of dendritic cell lineages, states, and functions, to provide a comprehensive overview of how liver dendritic cells influence the onset and evolution of MASLD.