ZNF143 inhibits hepatocyte mitophagy and promotes non-alcoholic fatty liver disease by targeting increased lncRNA NEAT1 expression to activate ROCK2 pathway

Background: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common hepatic disorders worldwide. The mitophagy is suggested to be repressed in NAFLD, but the mechanism remains to be elucidated. Methods: NAFLD cell and mouse models were established by treating with free fatty acid (FFA) and feeding a high fat diet (HFD), respectively. QRT-PCR, Western blotting, or IHC measured the expression of ZNF143, lncRNA NEAT1, ROCK2, and lipid formation/mitophagy-related proteins. Cell viability and mitophagy were evaluated by MTT and immunofluorescence. The chloroform-methanol extraction method measured triglyceride and total cholesterol levels. ELISA detected ALT and AST levels. The interactions among ZNF143, lncRNA NEAT1 and SND1 were analysed by ChIP, dual-luciferase reporter, pull-down, and RIP. The lipid droplets were determined by Oil-red O and HE staining. Results: ZNF143 and lncRNA NEAT1 were upregulated in hepatic cells treated with FFA (p p p p p p in vivo (p p Conclusion: The upregulation of lncRNA NEAT1 caused by ZNF143 promoted NAFLD through inhibiting mitophagy via activating ROCK2 pathway by targeting SND1, providing potential targets for NAFLD therapy.