StarD5 levels of expression correlate with onset and progression of NASH liver fibrosis.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Insufficient expression of steroidogenic acute regulatory lipid transfer protein 5 (StarD5) on liver cholesterol/lipid homeostasis is not clearly defined.

METHODS

The ablation of StarD5 was analyzed in mice on a normal or western diet (WD) to determine its importance in hepatic lipid accumulation and fibrosis compared to wild type (WT) mice. Rescue experiments in StarD5

RESULTS

In addition to increased hepatic triglyceride/cholesterol levels, global StarD5

CONCLUSIONS

StarD5's downregulation with hepatic lipid excess is a previously unappreciated physiologic function appearing to promote lipid storage for future needs. Conversely, StarD5's lingering downregulation with prolonged lipid/cholesterol excess accelerates fatty liver's transition to fibrosis; mediated via dysregulation in the oxysterol signaling pathway.