1.Role of innate immune mechanisms triggered by mitochondrial DNA release in metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease and targeted intervention strategies
Yu ZHOU ; Kaiyang LI ; Mei YANG ; Qi ZHAO ; Yiming ZHAO ; Fei ZHANG ; Qian WANG
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(8):1960-1966
Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is the most prevalent chronic liver disease worldwide, with a complex pathogenesis. Mitochondria play a pivotal role in this disease process, and studies have confirmed that mitochondrial dysfunction can exacerbate metabolic disorders and induce innate immune imbalance, while mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is the core molecule mediating these two pathological effects. After the abnormal release of mtDNA, it can be recognized by intracellular pattern recognition receptors, which in turn triggers innate immune responses and causes tissue damage, forming a pathological pathway of “mtDNA release-immune activation-tissue damage”. Currently, there is a lack of systematic reviews summarizing the mechanism of action of this pathway in different stages of MAFLD and the intervention strategies targeting this pathway. This article systematically reviews the core molecular mechanism of this pathway, its pathological role in the development and progression of MAFLD, and the current intervention strategies targeting this mechanism, in order to provide a theoretical basis for analyzing the pathogenesis of MAFLD and developing novel therapeutic strategies.
2.Mechanism of action of hepatic macrophages in metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease and related targeted therapeutic strategies
Lei XIAO ; Wanting SHA ; Jiawen WU ; Mei YANG ; Qi ZHAO ; Kaiyang LI
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2026;42(9):2183-2190
Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is currently the most prevalent chronic liver disease worldwide, and its disease spectrum encompasses simple steatosis, metabolic-associated steatohepatitis, hepatic fibrosis, liver cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Recent studies have shown that hepatic macrophages play an important regulatory role in the development and progression of MAFLD. Hepatic macrophages mainly consist of resident Kupffer cells and monocyte-derived macrophages, which participate in the pathophysiological processes of the disease by regulating inflammatory response, lipid metabolism, fibrogenic process, and cell death pathways. This article summarizes the diversity and functional plasticity of hepatic macrophages in MAFLD, reviews their interactions with hepatocytes and gut microbiota, elaborates on the core mechanism of hepatic macrophages and related signaling pathways in the progression of MAFLD, and further discusses novel therapeutic strategies targeting hepatic macrophages. An in-depth understanding of the mechanism of action of hepatic macrophages in MAFLD may provide a crucial theoretical basis for developing precise therapeutic approaches for this disease.
3.Role and mechanism of T helper 17 cells/regulatory T cells immune balance regulated by the TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway mediated in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis
Qian WANG ; Kaiyang LI ; Mei YANG ; Hang ZHANG ; Shengjin ZHU ; Qi ZHAO ; Jing HUANG
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(5):942-947
Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a chronic metabolic disease characterized by hepatocyte fatty degeneration and ballooning degeneration, and it plays an important role in the progression of hepatic steatosis. Recent studies have shown that immune homeostasis imbalance between T helper 17 (Th17) and regulatory T (Treg) cells are closely associated with the pathological process of NASH. Transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) is a key cytokine for regulating the differentiation and proliferation of Th17/Treg cells, and TGF-β1 binds to its receptor and activates the Smad signaling pathway, thereby regulating the immune balance of Th17/Treg cells and the expression of inflammatory factors and participating in the repair of liver inflammation. This article systematically reviews the molecular mechanism of the TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway in affecting NASH by regulating the immune balance of Th17/Treg cells, in order to provide a theoretical basis for the research on the pathogenesis of NASH and related treatment strategies.
4.LIU Shangyi's Experience in Treating Pruritus Vulvae Using Self-Prescribed Yinyang Formula (阴痒方)
Xiao LIU ; Zhaozhao HUA ; Yiyuan ZHOU ; Taiwei ZHANG ; Yan LI ; Shuang HUANG ; Qiang GAO ; Kaiyang XUE ;
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(10):992-995
To summarize the clinical experience of Professor LIU Shangyi in treating pruritus vulvae. It is believed that women have the physiological characteristics of liver and kidney as the root, and their pubic area is easily attacked by wind-dampness pathogenic qi, so the core mechanism of pruritus vulvae is proposed as wind-dampness accumulation and deficiency of liver and kidney. The core treatment method is to dispel wind-dampness and nourish the liver and kidneys, and modify the Danggui Decoction (当归饮子) to form a self-prescribed Yinyang Formula (阴痒方) as the basic prescription to treat pruritus vulvaen.
5.Advances in Lipidomics Research on Metabolic Associated(Non-alcoholic)Steatohepatitis
Lei XIAO ; Kaiyang LI ; Mei YANG ; Qi ZHAO
World Science and Technology-Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;27(11):3362-3372
Metabolic associated(non-alcoholic)steatohepatitis(MASH/NASH)is a progressive form of metabolic associated(non-alcoholic)fatty liver disease(MAFLD/NAFLD),characterized by hepatic fat accumulation,inflammation,with or without fibrosis.It can further progress to liver cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma,and it is a common and frequently-occurring liver disease.In recent years,due to its unique advantages in analyzing lipid metabolism disorders,lipidomics has become an important tool in the research of MASH/NASH.This article reviews the role of lipidomics in elucidating the pathological mechanisms of MASH/NASH,discovering biomarkers,and exploring therapeutic targets,aiming to provide a theoretical basis for basic research and new drug development for MASH/NASH.
6.Role of mitophagy induced by the PTEN-induced kinase 1/Parkin signaling pathway in metabolic associated fatty liver disease and related advances in targeted therapies
Shengjin ZHU ; Xiaodeng ZHU ; Kaiyang LI ; Mei YANG ; Xian WU
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(8):1655-1661
Metabolic associated fatty liver disease(MAFLD)has a complex pathogenesis,and mitophagy is involved in the development and progression of MAFLD and plays a key role in liver metabolic pathways and signaling networks.Mitophagy is regulated by a variety of pathways,and the PTEN-induced kinase 1(PINK1)/Parkin pathway is considered the main pathway for regulating mitophagy.Mitophagy mediated by the PINK1/Parkin pathway can regulate lipid metabolism,inflammation,and fibrosis and delay the progression of MAFLD.This article reviews the role of mitophagy mediated by the PINK1/Parkin pathway in MAFLD and the research advances in targeted therapy,in order to provide theoretical bases and ideas for the prevention and treatment of MAFLD.
7.Research progress in the use of oncolytic viruses to induce tumor immunogenic cell death
Sibo ZHANG ; Lifang JIA ; Lulu LI ; Jing WANG ; Kaiyang LIU
Chinese Journal of Comparative Medicine 2025;35(10):149-161
Immunogenic cell death(ICD)is a form of cell death that can activate the immune system,especially in the treatment of cancer.ICD can enhance the recognition of tumors by the immune system and the release of damage associated molecular patterns(DAMPs),to achieve tumor cell death.Oncolytic viruses(OVs)can selectively infect and kill tumor cells without damaging normal cells.OVs are type Ⅱ ICD inducers that induce ICD in tumor cells by targeting the endoplasmic reticulum.Here,we review the characteristics of ICD and the mechanism of ICD induction by OVs.We also review the latest clinical progress involving ICD and discuss future treatment strategies for tumors.
8.Research Progress of Active Components of Chinese Materia Medica in the Treatment of Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease by Regulating SREBPs Signaling Pathway
Kaiyang LI ; Mei YANG ; Jing HUANG ; Qi ZHAO
Chinese Journal of Information on Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;32(10):185-191
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)is characterized by excessive fat accumulation in the liver,which progresses to steatosis,inflammation and fibrosis with the progression of the disease,involving multiple cellular pathways and molecular mechanisms.Sterol regulatory element-binding proteins(SREBPs)have become key regulators of lipid metabolism in NAFLD,providing potential therapeutic targets for NAFLD.This article summarized molecular mechanism of SREBPs in NAFLD,and concluded the active components of Chinese materia medica targeted to regulate the SREBPs signaling pathway.It was found that the active components of Chinese materia medica(glycosides,flavonoids,polyphenols,polysaccharides,alkaloids,etc.)could inhibit the activation of SREBPs,inhibit de novo lipogenesis in the liver,and promote the β oxidation of free fatty acids and cholesterol metabolism,thus delaying or preventing the progress of NAFLD,which provided a reference for the treatment of NAFLD.
9.Role of mitophagy induced by the PTEN-induced kinase 1/Parkin signaling pathway in metabolic associated fatty liver disease and related advances in targeted therapies
Shengjin ZHU ; Xiaodeng ZHU ; Kaiyang LI ; Mei YANG ; Xian WU
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(8):1655-1661
Metabolic associated fatty liver disease(MAFLD)has a complex pathogenesis,and mitophagy is involved in the development and progression of MAFLD and plays a key role in liver metabolic pathways and signaling networks.Mitophagy is regulated by a variety of pathways,and the PTEN-induced kinase 1(PINK1)/Parkin pathway is considered the main pathway for regulating mitophagy.Mitophagy mediated by the PINK1/Parkin pathway can regulate lipid metabolism,inflammation,and fibrosis and delay the progression of MAFLD.This article reviews the role of mitophagy mediated by the PINK1/Parkin pathway in MAFLD and the research advances in targeted therapy,in order to provide theoretical bases and ideas for the prevention and treatment of MAFLD.
10.Role and mechanism of T helper 17 cells/regulatory T cells immune balance regulated by the TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway mediated in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis
Qian WANG ; Kaiyang LI ; Mei YANG ; Hang ZHANG ; Shengjin ZHU ; Qi ZHAO ; Jing HUANG
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;42(5):942-947
Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis(NASH)is a chronic metabolic disease characterized by hepatocyte fatty degeneration and ballooning degeneration,and it plays an important role in the progression of hepatic steatosis.Recent studies have shown that immune homeostasis imbalance between T helper 17(Th17)and regulatory T(Treg)cells are closely associated with the pathological process of NASH.Transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1)is a key cytokine for regulating the differentiation and proliferation of Th17/Treg cells,and TGF-β1 binds to its receptor and activates the Smad signaling pathway,thereby regulating the immune balance of Th17/Treg cells and the expression of inflammatory factors and participating in the repair of liver inflammation.This article systematically reviews the molecular mechanism of the TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway in affecting NASH by regulating the immune balance of Th17/Treg cells,in order to provide a theoretical basis for the research on the pathogenesis of NASH and related treatment strategies.

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