Deficiency of the oncostatin M receptor affects the pathogenesis of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in a context dependent manner

Background: The early phase of inflammation is characterized by the release of cytokines/chemokines from activated neutrophils, monocytes and dendritic cells. One of the most strongly secreted cytokines is the interleukin-6-type cytokine oncostatin M (OSM). Since OSM itself is a strong inducer of chemokines, particularly in tissue-resident cell types like fibroblasts, it is considered to promote the inflammatory response. Surprisingly, it has recently been shown to execute protective functions in high-fat diet-induced obesity and related metabolic disorders in mice. Its role in the development of non-alcoholic f…