Deficiency of the Purinergic Receptor 2X₇ Attenuates Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis Induced by High-Fat Diet: Possible Role of the NLRP3 Inflammasome.

ABSTRACT: Molecular mechanisms driving transition from simple steatosis to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), a critical step in the progression of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) to cirrhosis, are poorly defined. This study aimed at investigating the role of the purinergic receptor 2X₇ (PR2X₇), through the NLRP3 inflammasome, in the development of NASH. To this end, mice knockout for the Pr2x₇ gene (Pr2x₇^-/-) and coeval wild-type (WT) mice were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) or normal-fat diet for 16 weeks. NAFLD grade and stage were lower in Pr2x₇^-/- than WT mice, and only 1/7 Pr2x₇^-/- animals showed evidence of NASH, as compared with 4/7 WT mice. Molecular markers o

SUBMITTER: Blasetti Fantauzzi C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5705892 | biostudies-literature | 2017

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature