Hepatocyte-specific expression of human carboxylesterase 2 attenuates nonalcoholic steatohepatitis in mice.

Hepatocyte-specific expression of human carboxylesterase 2 attenuates nonalcoholic steatohepatitis in mice.

Xu Y;Pan X; Shuwei H;Zhu Y; Bawa FC;Li Y; Yin L; Zhang Y

American Journal Of Physiology: Gastrointestinal & Liver Physiology

2021

2021-02-01

Human carboxylesterase 2 (CES2) has triacylglycerol hydrolase (TGH) activities and plays an important role in lipolysis. In this study, we aim to determine the role of human CES2 in the progression or reversal of steatohepatitis in diet-induced or genetically obese mice. High-fat/high-cholesterol/high-fructose (HFCF) diet-fed C57BL/6 mice or db/db mice were intravenously injected with an adeno-associated virus expressing human CES2 under the control of an albumin promoter. Human CES2 protected against HFCF diet-induced nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in C57BL/6J mice and reversed steatohepatitis in db/db mice. Human CES2 also improved glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity. Mechanistically, human CES2 reduced hepatic triglyceride (T) and free fatty acid (FFA) levels by inducing lipolysis and fatty acid oxidation and inhibiting lipogenesis via suppression of sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1. Furthermore, human CES2 overexpression improved mitochondrial respiration and glycolytic function, and inhibited gluconeogenesis, lipid peroxidation, apoptosis, and inflammation. Our data suggest that hepatocyte-specific expression of human CES2 prevents and reverses steatohepatitis. Targeting hepatic CES2 may be an attractive strategy for treatment of NAFLD.

Copyright © 2021 the American Physiological Society

Journal Article

NEOMED College of Medicine

Department of Integrative Medical Sciences

Jan to Aug list 2021