Jintong Pan, Wei Ye, Jinmeng Zhang, Ye Fan, Zaohong Chen, Yuxue Wang, Xiang Liu
{"title":"Knockdown of Salusin-β Downregulates FTO to Inhibit Lipid Synthesis and Promote Lipolysis to Attenuate NAFLD","authors":"Jintong Pan, Wei Ye, Jinmeng Zhang, Ye Fan, Zaohong Chen, Yuxue Wang, Xiang Liu","doi":"10.1111/liv.70252","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/liv.70252","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Background</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is now a significant public health issue globally. Salusin-β, a vasoactive peptide, plays a role in lipid metabolism regulation, but its mechanism remains unreported.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>We studied the effects of Salusin-β on lipid metabolism and its mechanism by creating a NAFLD model in C57BL/6J mice and inducing steatosis in HepG2 cells. Then, shSalusin-β lentivirus was applied to transfect into the animals and cells, and the degree of lipid accumulation was assessed by staining and various biochemical indexes. Subsequently, Semi-Quantitative PCR, Western Blot, molecular docking, and Co-Immunoprecipitation were utilised to probe the downstream target FTO and then to verify the protein and mRNA changes of liposynthesis and catabolism genes downstream of FTO. Overexpressed FTO lentivirus was further employed to confirm this mechanism.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The results showed that knockdown of Salusin-β significantly attenuated the degree of lipid accumulation in mice and cells. In addition, shSalusin-β inhibited the expression of FTO, thereby inhibiting the expression of downstream sterol regulatory element binding protein-1c, fatty acid synthase, and promoting the expression of peroxisome proliferators-activated receptors α and carnitine palmitoyl transferase 1. Transfection of overexpressed FTO then eliminated the regulatory effect of shSalusin-β on downstream molecules.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>In conclusion, knockdown of Salusin-β reduced FTO production, thereby alleviating lipid metabolism disorders. This provides a potential mechanism for elucidating the reduction of lipid metabolism by knockdown of Salusin-β and a potential target for the treatment of NAFLD.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":18101,"journal":{"name":"Liver International","volume":"45 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.2,"publicationDate":"2025-07-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144725641","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Yazhou Chen, Benjamin P. M. Laevens, Carolin V. Schneider
{"title":"Response to: From Image to Insight: Is MRI-Based Genotyping Ready for the Clinic?","authors":"Yazhou Chen, Benjamin P. M. Laevens, Carolin V. Schneider","doi":"10.1111/liv.70253","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/liv.70253","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":18101,"journal":{"name":"Liver International","volume":"45 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.2,"publicationDate":"2025-07-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144725642","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Socio-Economic and Geographic Factors in Liver Disease Progression Among Individuals With HIV–HBV Coinfection","authors":"Zhixi Xiao, Zhengrui Li, Qingyu Chen","doi":"10.1111/liv.70249","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/liv.70249","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This commentary addresses the findings of a recent nationwide cohort study on risk factors for liver disease progression in individuals with HIV–HBV coinfection. The study identified smoking, excess body weight and HCV coinfection as important accelerators of hepatic deterioration, while traditional socio-economic markers were not significant; urban residence appeared to be protective. We highlight the likely contributions of specialist resource density, surveillance intensity and multidimensional deprivation metrics in shaping these outcomes. The importance of guideline-based antiretroviral therapy and outreach interventions, including smoking cessation and metabolic syndrome management, is also emphasised to address geographic and socio-economic disparities. Future research should further investigate service utilisation and develop targeted strategies to promote equitable liver health in this vulnerable population.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":18101,"journal":{"name":"Liver International","volume":"45 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.2,"publicationDate":"2025-07-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144725600","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Gian Paolo Caviglia, Eleonora Dileo, Antonella Olivero, Giulio Mengozzi, Alessia Ciancio, Alessandro Loglio, Mauro Viganò, Stefano Fagiuoli, Piero Colombatto, Barbara Coco, Maurizia Rossana Brunetto, Debora Angrisani, Alfonso Galeota Lanza, Carlo Magni, Giuliano Rizzardini, Vincenzo Messina, Michele Milella, Annalisa Saracino, Letizia Marinaro, Giuseppe Cariti, Valentina Cossiga, Filomena Morisco, Silvia Cretella, Gabriella Verucchi, Elisa Biliotti, Giampiero D'Offizi, Marcello Feasi, Emanuele Pontali, Carmine Coppola, Rachele Rapetti, Mario Pirisi, Antonio Izzi, Teresa Santantonio, Vito Di Marco, Aldo Marrone, Nicola Coppola, Marco Rizzi, Anna Maria Cattelan, Grazia Anna Niro, Pierluigi Toniutto, Francesca Romana Ponziani, Luca Saverio Belli, Alessandro Federico, Gaetano Bertino, Michele Barone, Massimo Puoti, Alberto Civolani, Marco Distefano, Lorenzo Antonio Surace, Raffaele Cozzolongo, Ester Marina Cela, Elisabetta Teti, Pietro Lampertico, Tommaso Stroffolini, Mario Rizzetto, the HDV Describe Study Group
{"title":"The Medical Impact of Hepatitis D Virus Infection in Natives and Immigrants: The Italian Paradigm","authors":"Gian Paolo Caviglia, Eleonora Dileo, Antonella Olivero, Giulio Mengozzi, Alessia Ciancio, Alessandro Loglio, Mauro Viganò, Stefano Fagiuoli, Piero Colombatto, Barbara Coco, Maurizia Rossana Brunetto, Debora Angrisani, Alfonso Galeota Lanza, Carlo Magni, Giuliano Rizzardini, Vincenzo Messina, Michele Milella, Annalisa Saracino, Letizia Marinaro, Giuseppe Cariti, Valentina Cossiga, Filomena Morisco, Silvia Cretella, Gabriella Verucchi, Elisa Biliotti, Giampiero D'Offizi, Marcello Feasi, Emanuele Pontali, Carmine Coppola, Rachele Rapetti, Mario Pirisi, Antonio Izzi, Teresa Santantonio, Vito Di Marco, Aldo Marrone, Nicola Coppola, Marco Rizzi, Anna Maria Cattelan, Grazia Anna Niro, Pierluigi Toniutto, Francesca Romana Ponziani, Luca Saverio Belli, Alessandro Federico, Gaetano Bertino, Michele Barone, Massimo Puoti, Alberto Civolani, Marco Distefano, Lorenzo Antonio Surace, Raffaele Cozzolongo, Ester Marina Cela, Elisabetta Teti, Pietro Lampertico, Tommaso Stroffolini, Mario Rizzetto, the HDV Describe Study Group","doi":"10.1111/liv.70242","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/liv.70242","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Background and Aim</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Ongoing migratory flows are reconstituting the hepatitis D virus (HDV) reservoir in Italy. We aimed to characterise the current clinical and virologic features of HDV infection in both native Italians and migrants.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>We enrolled 515 hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-positive patients with detectable anti-HDV antibodies from 32 Italian centres between August 2022 and July 2024; all patients underwent centralised virologic assessment.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Overall, 432 out of 515 (83.9%) patients were HDV-RNA-positive (4.39, 1.30–5.82 Log IU/mL; 99.0% HDV genotype-1). HDV-RNA levels correlated with ALT (<i>r</i><sub>s</sub> = 0575, 0.514–0.630) and hepatitis B core-related antigen (<i>r</i><sub>s</sub> = 0.521, 0.455–0.581). Native Italians (<i>n</i> = 317; 61.6%) were older than migrants (<i>n</i> = 198; 38.4%) (median age: 60, 55–65 vs. 46, 39–54 years; <i>p</i> < 0.001) and were more frequently male (68.1% vs. 49.5%; <i>p</i> < 0.001), with a higher prevalence of liver cirrhosis (70.3% vs. 50.5%; <i>p</i> < 0.001) and hepatocellular carcinoma (14.8% vs. 0.5%; <i>p</i> < 0.001). Among Italians, 223 (70.3%) had liver cirrhosis, 46 (14.5%) had chronic hepatitis D (CHD) without cirrhosis and 48 (15.1%) exhibited inactive/minimal disease with low viremia (≤ 3 Log IU/mL). Among migrants, 100 (50.5%) had liver cirrhosis, 58 (29.3%) had CHD and 40 (20.2%) showed inactive/minimal disease with low viremia (≤ 3 Log IU/mL).</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The current clinical landscape of chronic HDV infections in Italy is heterogeneous, changing the perspective of CHD as uniformly severe; although cirrhosis remains common, a substantial proportion of both native Italians and migrants present with milder forms of disease.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":18101,"journal":{"name":"Liver International","volume":"45 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.2,"publicationDate":"2025-07-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/liv.70242","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144725599","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Mariateresa Pettinato, Alessia Pagani, Antonella Nai, Luca Valenti, Laura Silvestri
{"title":"Response to Letter to the Editor: “Advancing TMPRSS6-Targeted Therapy for MASLD: Mechanistic and Translational Perspectives”","authors":"Mariateresa Pettinato, Alessia Pagani, Antonella Nai, Luca Valenti, Laura Silvestri","doi":"10.1111/liv.70254","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/liv.70254","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":18101,"journal":{"name":"Liver International","volume":"45 8","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":6.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144714915","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Shira Zelber-Sagi, James M. Paik, Dana Ivancovsky-Wajcmen, Linda Henry, Yusuf Yilmaz, Saleh A. Alqahtani, Mohamed El-Kassass, Elizabeth J. Pekas, Lynn H. Gerber, Zobair M. Younossi
{"title":"“Weekend Warrior” Exercise Pattern Protects Against MASLD and Mortality Comparable to Regular Exercise: National Cohort Study","authors":"Shira Zelber-Sagi, James M. Paik, Dana Ivancovsky-Wajcmen, Linda Henry, Yusuf Yilmaz, Saleh A. Alqahtani, Mohamed El-Kassass, Elizabeth J. Pekas, Lynn H. Gerber, Zobair M. Younossi","doi":"10.1111/liv.70226","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/liv.70226","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Background and Aims</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) guidelines recommend > 150 min per week of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). It is unclear if concentrating MVPA into 1–2 days per week [“weekend warrior” (WW) pattern] offers similar benefits to spreading activity throughout the week. We aimed to assess the association of WW activity pattern with MASLD prevalence, mortality, and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk among individuals with MASLD.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2003–2006 were linked to mortality records through 2019. Using accelerometer measurements, participants were categorised as WW (> 150 min of MVPA with ≥ 50% of total MVPA accomplished over 1–2 days), active (> 150 min of MVPA, not meeting WW criteria) and inactive (≤ 150 min of MVPA per week). MASLD was defined as a United States Fatty Liver Index (US FLI) ≥ 30 with at least one cardiometabolic risk factor, excluding other liver diseases.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Among 2490 participants (mean age: 48.5 years; 47.4% male), both WW and active groups had lower odds of MASLD compared to the inactive group [WW; OR: 0.36 (95% CI 0.24–0.53); active; OR: 0.47 (0.36–0.62)], adjusting for sociodemographic variables. Among 859 MASLD, over 14.3 of years median follow-up, multivariable Cox regression showed lower all-cause mortality in the WW [HR: 0.35 (0.13–0.94)] and active [HR: 0.48 (0.24–0.98)] groups. Both WW [OR: 0.27 (0.09–0.75)] and active [OR: 0.39 (0.20–0.78)] groups had lower odds of high ASCVD risk.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>WW physical activity patterns protect from MASLD and all-cause mortality comparable to regular exercise.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":18101,"journal":{"name":"Liver International","volume":"45 8","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":6.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144714802","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Marco Castelli, Mirko Zoncapè, Alessandra Meneguzzi, Anna Mantovani, David Sacerdoti, Pietro Minuz, Andrea Dalbeni
{"title":"Platelet Functional Profile Is Altered in Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease","authors":"Marco Castelli, Mirko Zoncapè, Alessandra Meneguzzi, Anna Mantovani, David Sacerdoti, Pietro Minuz, Andrea Dalbeni","doi":"10.1111/liv.70231","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/liv.70231","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Background and Aims</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is a leading cause of chronic liver disease, often progressing to fibrosis and up to cirrhosis. Platelet activation plays a potential role in MASLD progression, but its functional profile across disease stages remains unclear. This study aimed to characterise the platelet functional profile and phenotype in patients with MASLD ≤ F2 and F3–F4 fibrosis compared to healthy controls.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>We analysed biomarkers of in vivo platelet activation, including urinary 11-dehydro-thromboxane B2 (11-dh-TXB<sub>2</sub>) and plasma soluble P-selectin. Platelet phenotype was assessed via microfluidic assays and flow cytometry, evaluating adhesion and fibrinogen receptor activation and Annexin V. Patients were stratified according to liver stiffness measurement (LSM) into low fibrosis MASLD (≤ F2) and advanced fibrosis/cirrhosis (F3–F4).</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Urinary 11-dh-TXB<sub>2</sub> was comparable between control and the ≤ F2 patients (median difference: 7365 ng/g creatinine, 95% CI: 5257–8764); higher values were observed in F3–F4 patients, with levels significantly elevated compared to controls (6931 ng/g creatinine, 95% CI: 5290–8363). Plasma soluble P-selectin followed a similar trend. Platelet phenotype MASLD ≤ F2 patients exhibited increased adhesiveness (median difference: 289.8 a.u., 95% CI: 195.8–458.2) and displayed procoagulant activity through binding of Annexin V, whereas F3–F4 patients showed increased adhesiveness (median difference: 361.1 a.u., 95% CI: 163.4–530.4) and reduced fibrinogen receptor activation.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Platelet activation markers correlate with fibrosis severity, highlighting their potential role in disease progression. MASLD ≤ F2 is associated with increased platelet adhesiveness, whereas F3–F4 is characterised by impaired platelet reactivity despite high activation markers. These findings support the involvement of platelets in MASLD fibrosis progression and suggest their potential as biomarkers or therapeutic targets.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Impact and Implications</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This study provides a robust scientific rationale for further exploring platelet dynamics as both biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets in MASLD, by demonstrating distinct platelet functional profiles between early (MASLD ≤ F2) a","PeriodicalId":18101,"journal":{"name":"Liver International","volume":"45 8","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":6.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/liv.70231","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144714803","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Yazhou Chen, Benjamin P. M. Laevens, Teresa Lemainque, Gustav Anton Müller-Franzes, Tobias Seibel, Carola Dlugosch, Jan Clusmann, Paul-Henry Koop, Rongpeng Gong, Yuanyuan Liu, Niharika Jakhar, Feng Cao, Simon Schophaus, Thriveni Basavanapura Raju, Anastasia Artemis Raptis, Felix van Haag, Joel Joy, Rohit Loomba, Luca Valenti, Jakob Nikolas Kather, Titus J. Brinker, Moritz Herzog, Ivan G. Costa, Diego Hernando, Kai Markus Schneider, Daniel Truhn, Carolin V. Schneider
{"title":"Featured Cover","authors":"Yazhou Chen, Benjamin P. M. Laevens, Teresa Lemainque, Gustav Anton Müller-Franzes, Tobias Seibel, Carola Dlugosch, Jan Clusmann, Paul-Henry Koop, Rongpeng Gong, Yuanyuan Liu, Niharika Jakhar, Feng Cao, Simon Schophaus, Thriveni Basavanapura Raju, Anastasia Artemis Raptis, Felix van Haag, Joel Joy, Rohit Loomba, Luca Valenti, Jakob Nikolas Kather, Titus J. Brinker, Moritz Herzog, Ivan G. Costa, Diego Hernando, Kai Markus Schneider, Daniel Truhn, Carolin V. Schneider","doi":"10.1111/liv.70207","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/liv.70207","url":null,"abstract":"<p>The cover image is based on the article <i>Deep Learning Reveals Liver MRI Features Associated With PNPLA3 I148M in Steatotic Liver Disease</i> by Carolin Victoria Schneider et al., https://doi.org/10.1111/liv.70164.\u0000\u0000 <figure>\u0000 <div><picture>\u0000 <source></source></picture><p></p>\u0000 </div>\u0000 </figure>\u0000 </p>","PeriodicalId":18101,"journal":{"name":"Liver International","volume":"45 7","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":6.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/liv.70207","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144705554","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}