Fig. 4: Lyz-IFNγR2−/− mice are rescued from fatty liver progression to MASH. | Nature Communications

Fig. 4: Lyz-IFNγR2−/− mice are rescued from fatty liver progression to MASH.

From: IFNγ-IL12 axis regulates intercellular crosstalk in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease

Fig. 4

Noninvasive ultrasound imaging and histological analyses were performed to assess MASH phenotypes in male Lyz-IFNγR2−/− and WT mice after 4 weeks of a methionine-choline deficient (MCD) diet starting at 6 ~ 7 months of age (n = 3 per genotype). A Representative ultrasound images showing axial, 3D, coronal, and sagittal views using Vega Wide-field Ultrasound Imaging System in mice after 4 weeks of MCD diet. B Liver fibrosis measured as stiffness using Young’s Modulus in MCD diet-fed mice. C Representative shear wave elastography (SWE) images showing shear wave elasticity in regions of high intensity (red-color nearing 20 kPa) and regions of low intensity (blue-color nearing 0 kPa) in MCD diet-fed mice. Additional cohorts of male Lyz-IFNγR2−/− and WT mice were used to assess MASH phenotypes during 20 weeks of a choline-deficient L-amino acid HFD (CDAHFD) starting at ~8 months of age (n = 6 per genotype). D Liver steatosis as shown in brightness during 20 weeks of CDAHFD in mice. The mean values of liver steatosis in Lyz-IFNγR2−/− and WT mice at 4, 8, 12, 16, and 20 weeks of CDAHFD versus 0 week are statistically significant (p < 0.0001). E Liver fibrosis as stiffness using Young’s Modulus during 20 weeks of CDAHFD in mice. The mean values of liver fibrosis in Lyz-IFNγR2−/− and WT mice at 12, 16, and 20 weeks of CDAHFD versus 0 week are statistically significant (p < 0.0001). F Representative liver photos and histology images with Masson’s trichrome stain (collagen stained in blue) from CDAHFD-fed mice. G Representative SWE images showing shear wave elasticity in regions of high and low intensity in CDAHFD-fed mice. Data are presented as mean ± SEM values. The statistical significance of the difference in mean values between Lyz-IFNγR2−/− mice versus WT mice at each time point (weeks of CDAHFD) was determined using a two-tailed Student’s t-test. The statistical significance of the difference in mean values between 4, 8, 12, 16, and 20 weeks of CDAHFD versus 0 week was determined using a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with Tukey’s multiple comparison test for post-hoc analysis.

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