Hepatocyte pyroptosis and release of inflammasome particles induce stellate cell activation and liver fibrosis

Our findings identify a novel mechanism of inflammation in the liver. Experiments in cell cultures, mice and human samples show that a specific form of cell death, called pyroptosis, leads to the release of complex inflammatory particles, the NLRP3 inflammasome, from inside hepatocytes into the extracellular space. From there they are taken up by other cells and thereby mediate inflammatory and pro-fibrogenic stress signals. The discovery of this mechanism may lead to novel treatments for chronic liver diseases in the future.

Source: Journal of Hepatology - August 3, 2020 Category: Gastroenterology Authors: Susanne Gaul, Aleksandra Leszczynska, Fernando Alegre, Benedikt Kaufmann, Casey D. Johnson, Leon A. Adams, Alexander Wree, Georg Damm, Daniel Seehofer, Carolina J. Calvente, Davide Povero, Tatiana Kisseleva, Akiko Eguchi, Matthew D. McGeough, Hal M. Hoffm Source Type: research