Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 18, 2026

Mouse Model of Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease with Fibrosis
Published on: July 18, 2025
The impact of hypoxia and glycolysis on liver fibrosis
Yun Li1, Fusheng Qin2, Hanyang Su3,4
1Department of Gastroenterology, The Fourth Hospital of Changsha, Changsha, Hunan, 410006, China.
Background And Methods:
Hypoxia, glycolysis, and lactylation are key processes in liver fibrosis (LF) and hepatocarcinogenesis, yet the role of hypoxia-, glycolysis-, and lactylation-related genes (HGLRGs) in LF is poorly defined. Here, we systematically analyzed transcriptomic data from LF samples to identify differentially expressed HGLRGs, validate by single-cell transcriptomics, construct co-expression networks, evaluate their biological functions, diagnostic performance, immune relevance, and explore potential therapeutic agents.
Results:
Seven HGLRGs-CHST4, FABP5, GPC3, SOX9, SRPX, IFI16, and ISG20-were significantly upregulated in LF and demonstrated strong diagnostic value. FABP5 and ISG20 were consistently elevated in activated stellate cells and human cirrhotic livers. Enrichment analyses indicated that these genes modulate metabolic pathways and drive immune-mediated fibrotic responses. Immune profiling revealed that ISG20 expression inversely correlated with resting NK cell infiltration, and SOX9 with M2 macrophage infiltration. Molecular docking identified seven FDA-approved drugs, including aspirin, Methylene blue, tamoxifen, vorinostat, valproic acid, rosiglitazone and acetaminophen, as potential HGLRG-targeting agents.
Conclusion:
HGLRGs are aberrantly upregulated and actively contribute to LF progression through metabolic dysregulation and immune remodeling. FABP5 and ISG20 represents promising biomarkers and therapeutic target. This study providing novel diagnostic markers, drug repurposing opportunities, and strategies for improved clinical management of liver cirrhosis.
Related Concept Videos
Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Drug Dosing and Hepatic Blood Flow
Cirrhosis II: Pathophysiology
Outcomes of Glycolysis
Cellular respiration can occur aerobically (with oxygen) or anaerobically (without oxygen). In the presence of oxygen, cellular respiration starts with glycolysis and continues with pyruvate oxidation, the...
What is Glycolysis?
Cells make energy by breaking down macromolecules. Cellular respiration is the biochemical process that converts "food energy" (from the chemical bonds of macromolecules) into chemical energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). The first step of this tightly regulated and intricate process is glycolysis. The word glycolysis originates from the Latin glyco (sugar) and lysis (breakdown). Glycolysis serves two main intracellular functions: generating ATP and generating...
Hypoxia
Types of Hypoxia
There are four primary types of hypoxia, each resulting from a different cause:
1. Anemic hypoxia: This type occurs due to insufficient oxygen delivery caused by a lack of red blood cells (RBCs) or RBCs with abnormal or...
Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Pathophysiologic Assessment and Liver Function Test

