How lipid-induced granules alleviate liver fibrosis

Liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) plays an important role in various cellular functions and pathological processes. DEAD-box helicase (DDX) family members possess the potential to undergo LLPS and its role in liver fibrosis is unclear.

The researchers in this study show that arachidonic acid metabolites induce the formation of lipid-induced granules (LIGs) assembled by the scaffold DDX49 in hepatocytes.

The authors show that DDX49  recruits m5 C-modified mRNA of hepatokine metalloproteinase 2 (Timp2) and its reader Y-box binding protein 1 (YBX1) into LIGs, thus inhibiting Timp2 mRNA translation and consequently feedback suppressing liver fibrosis.

The researchers also identified LIGs in human MASLD livers and reverse correlation with fibrosis progression.

https://www.cell.com/cell-metabolism/fulltext/S1550-4131(25)00546-7

https://sciencemission.com/Lipid-induced-granules-in-hepatocytes-alleviate-liver-fibrosis