CD146 induces progression of nonalcoholic hepatitis via regulation of hepatocyte-Kupffer cell interaction

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) includes common and serious chronic liver diseases ranging from nonalcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) has emerged as the leading chronic liver disease worldwide. However, the mechanistic involvement of the pathogenesis of NALFD remains unclear. In this study, cluster differentiation 146 (CD146), as a novel and important protein, was screened out. Elevated CD146 expression was consistent with the aggravation of NAFLD. In a liver-specific CD146 overexpression mice model, CD146 induced the occurrence of liver inflammation, and led to the aggravation of liver injury from NAFL to NASH. It was illustrated that the elevated CD146 promotes the development of NAFLD by enhancing hepatocyte-immune cell interaction.