Copine7 deficiency leads to hepatic fat accumulation via mitochondrial dysfunction

Mitochondrial dysfunction affects hepatic lipid homeostasis and promotes ROS generation. Copine7 (CPNE7) belongs to the ubiquitous copine family of calcium-dependent phospholipid binding proteins. CPNE7 has a high calcium ion binding affinity and the capacity to scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS). A recent study reported that abnormalities in fatty acid and lipid metabolism were linked to the gene variant of CPNE7. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to examine the role of Cpne7 in hepatic lipid metabolism based on mitochondrial function.

Lipid metabolism, mitochondrial function, and ROS production were investigated in high-fat diet (HFD)-fed Cpne7^-/- mice and H₂O₂-damaged HepG2 hepatocytes following CPNE7 silencing or overexpression.

Cpne7 deficiency promoted severe hepatic steatosis in the HFD-induced NAFLD model. More importantly, mitochondrial dysfunction was observed along with an imbalance of mitochondrial dynamics in the livers of HFD-fed Cpne7^-/-mice, resulting in high ROS levels. Similarly, CPNE7-silenced HepG2 hepatocytes showed high ROS levels, mitochondrial dysfunction, and increased lipid contents. On the contrary, CPNE7-overexpressed HepG2 cells showed low ROS levels, enhanced mitochondrial function and decreased lipid contents under H₂O₂-induced oxidative stress.

In the liver, Cpne7 deficiency causes excessive ROS formation and mitochondrial dysfunction, which aggravates lipid metabolism abnormalities. These findings provide evidence that Cpne7 deficiency contributes to the pathogenesis of NAFLD, suggesting Cpne7 as a novel therapeutic target for NAFLD.