Suppression of insulin-induced gene 1 (INSIG1) function promotes hepatic lipid remodelling and restrains NASH progression

Mol Metab. 2021 Jun:48:101210. doi: 10.1016/j.molmet.2021.101210. Epub 2021 Mar 17.

Abstract

Objective: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a silent pandemic associated with obesity and the metabolic syndrome, and also increases cardiovascular- and cirrhosis-related morbidity and mortality. A complete understanding of adaptive compensatory metabolic programmes that modulate non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) progression is lacking.

Methods and results: Transcriptomic analysis of liver biopsies in patients with NASH revealed that NASH progression is associated with rewiring of metabolic pathways, including upregulation of de novo lipid/cholesterol synthesis and fatty acid remodelling. The modulation of these metabolic programmes was achieved by activating sterol regulatory element-binding protein (SREBP) transcriptional networks; however, it is still debated whether, in the context of NASH, activation of SREBPs acts as a pathogenic driver of lipotoxicity, or rather promotes the biosynthesis of protective lipids that buffer excessive lipid accumulation, preventing inflammation and fibrosis. To elucidate the pathophysiological role of SCAP/SREBP in NASH and wound-healing response, we used an Insig1 deficient (with hyper-efficient SREBPs) murine model challenged with a NASH-inducing diet. Despite enhanced lipid and cholesterol biosynthesis, Insig1 KO mice had similar systemic metabolism and insulin sensitivity to Het/WT littermates. Moreover, activating SREBPs resulted in remodelling the lipidome, decreased hepatocellular damage, and improved wound-healing responses.

Conclusions: Our study provides actionable knowledge about the pathways and mechanisms involved in NAFLD pathogenesis, which may prove useful for developing new therapeutic strategies. Our results also suggest that the SCAP/SREBP/INSIG1 trio governs transcriptional programmes aimed at protecting the liver from lipotoxic insults in NASH.

Keywords: Carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4)); De novo lipogenesis (DNL); Lipid remodelling; Liver regeneration; Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD); Western diet.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biomarkers / metabolism
  • Cholesterol / biosynthesis*
  • Diet, Western
  • Disease Progression*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Insulin Resistance / genetics
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / genetics
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / metabolism*
  • Lipogenesis / genetics*
  • Liver Cirrhosis / genetics
  • Liver Cirrhosis / metabolism
  • Male
  • Membrane Proteins / genetics*
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Middle Aged
  • Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease / genetics
  • Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease / metabolism*
  • Transcriptome

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • INSIG1 protein, human
  • Insig1 protein, mouse
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Cholesterol