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Long Term Intravital Multiphoton Microscopy Imaging of Immune Cells in Healthy and Diseased Liver Using CXCR6.Gfp Reporter Mice
Published on: March 24, 2015
TREM2-expressing macrophages in liver diseases
Xiaochen Wang1, Zhiyu Qiu2, Zhenyu Zhong3
1Center of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510030, China; Department of Immunology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA.
Abstract:
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) affects over 30% of the global population and spans a spectrum of liver abnormalities, including simple steatosis, inflammation, fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Recent studies have identified triggering receptors expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2)-expressing macrophages as key regulators of MASLD progression. TREM2 plays a pivotal role in regulating macrophage-mediated processes such as efferocytosis, inflammatory control, and fibrosis resolution. Additionally, soluble TREM2 (sTREM2) was proposed as a noninvasive biomarker for diagnosing and monitoring MASLD progression. However, the molecular mechanisms through which TREM2 influences MASLD pathogenesis remain incompletely understood. This review summarizes the current understanding of TREM2-expressing macrophages in MASLD, with the goal of illuminating future research and guiding the development of innovative therapeutic strategies targeting TREM2 signaling pathways.
Insights
Triggering receptors expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2)-expressing macrophages are key to metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) progression. Understanding TREM2
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Hepatology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) affects over 30% of the global population, encompassing a range of liver conditions from simple steatosis to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
- Macrophages expressing triggering receptors expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2) have emerged as critical players in MASLD pathogenesis.
- TREM2 is involved in essential macrophage functions including efferocytosis, inflammation regulation, and fibrosis resolution.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current knowledge on TREM2-expressing macrophages in MASLD.
- To elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which TREM2 influences MASLD.
- To guide future research and therapeutic strategies targeting TREM2 signaling in MASLD.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent studies on TREM2 and MASLD.
- Analysis of TREM2's role in macrophage functions relevant to liver disease.
- Synthesis of current understanding of TREM2-mediated pathways in MASLD pathogenesis.
Main Results:
- TREM2-expressing macrophages are identified as key regulators of MASLD progression.
- TREM2 influences efferocytosis, inflammatory control, and fibrosis resolution in the context of MASLD.
- Soluble TREM2 (sTREM2) shows potential as a noninvasive biomarker for MASLD diagnosis and monitoring.
Conclusions:
- TREM2-expressing macrophages play a significant role in the progression of MASLD.
- Further research into the molecular mechanisms of TREM2 in MASLD is warranted.
- Targeting TREM2 signaling pathways offers potential for novel therapeutic interventions for MASLD.
