Fig. 1: Mechanism of sterile inflammation in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH).
From: Sterile inflammation in MASH: emerging role of extracellular RNA and therapeutic strategies
Nutrient stress, such as excess of saturated fats, sugars, and cholesterol, induces hepatocyte damage, which results in the release of damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPS) and activates immune cells via several pathways, including Toll-like receptors (TLR), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), NACHT, LRR, and PYD domain-containing protein (NLRP3) and cyclic GMP-AMP synthase-stimulator of interferon genes (cGAS-STING) pathways. Activated immune cells further aggravate hepatocyte damage by releasing several proinflammatory cytokines and contribute to the development of MASH. Figure was created using BioRender.com
