Lipid accumulation in hepatocytes induces activation and pro-fibrotic gene expression in hepatic stellate cells.–A new in vitro model to study fibrogenesis in hepatic steatosis

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a frequent and potentially progressive chronic liver disease. A subset of patients with NAFLD develop non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), hepatic fibrosis and end-stage liver disease. Hepatic stellate cells (HSC) are the central mediators of liver fibrosis. The molecular mechanism linking hepatic steatosis to the activation of HSC, thereby promoting inflammation and fibrosis, are mainly unknown. Here, we demonstrate a novel in vitro model to study the effect of hepatic lipid accumulation on HSC. Methods and Results: After exposure of primary human hepatocytes (PHH) a…