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BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS, vol.703, pp.1-8, 2024 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
Interleukin-27 (IL -27) is a recently discovered cytokine that has been implicated in inflammatory and metabolic conditions, such as atherosclerosis and insulin resistance. However, the mechanisms by which IL -27 attenuates hepatic lipid accumulation in hyperlipidemic conditions and counteracts endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, a known risk factor for impaired hepatic lipid metabolism, have not been elucidated. This in vitro study was designed to examine the effect of IL -27 on hepatic lipid metabolism. The study included the evaluation of lipogenesis-associated proteins and ER stress markers by Western blotting, the determination of hepatic lipid accumulation by Oil Red O staining, and the examination of autophagosome formation by MDC staining. The results showed that IL -27 treatment reduced lipogenic lipid deposition and the expression of ER stress markers in cultured hepatocytes exposed to palmitate. Moreover, treatment with IL -27 suppressed CD36 expression and enhanced fatty acid oxidation in palmitate-treated hepatocytes. The effects of IL -27 on hyperlipidemic hepatocytes were attenuated when adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) or 3-methyladenine (3 MA) were inhibited by small interfering RNA (siRNA). These results suggest that IL -27 attenuates hepatic ER stress and fatty acid uptake and stimulates fatty acid oxidation via AMPK/autophagy signaling, thereby alleviating hepatic steatosis. In conclusion, this study identified IL -27 as a promising therapeutic target for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).