Bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4) alleviates hepatic steatosis by increasing hepatic lipid turnover and inhibiting the mTORC1 signaling axis in hepatocytes.

ABSTRACT: Liver has numerous critical metabolic functions including lipid metabolism, which is usually dysregulated in obesity, the metabolic syndrome, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Increasing evidence indicates bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) play an important role in adipogenesis and thermogenic balance in adipogenic progenitors and adipose tissue. However, the direct impact of BMPs on hepatic steatosis and possible association with NAFLD are poorly understood. Here, we found that BMP4 was up-regulated in oleic acid-induced steatosis and during the development of high fat diet (HFD)-induced NAFLD. Exogenous BMP4 reduced lipid accumulation and up-regulated the genes involved in lipid synthesis, storage and breakdown in hepatocytes. Exogenous BMP4 inhibited hepatic steatosis, red

SUBMITTER: Peng Q 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6932923 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature