Abstract
Background & aims: Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are the major source of excessive production of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins and act as a hub for intrahepatic fibrosis signaling. Although extensive crosstalk between HSCs and liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) significantly influences disease progression, the detailed mechanisms remain poorly understood. Here, we investigated the role of lysyl oxidase-like 1 (LOXL1), a pivotal enzyme in ECM cross-linking, in crosstalk between HSCs and LSECs during liver fibrosis. Methods: Coculture systems (EA.hy926/LX2 or LSECs/HSCs) were used to investigate signaling crosstalk. HSC-specific Loxl1 knockout mice were generated, and experimental liver fibrosis was induced using a high-fat choline-deficient amino acid-defined (HFCDAA) diet or chronic carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) exposure. Liver samples were assessed by histology, scanning electron microscopy, immunostaining, and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Liver tissue and HSCs were analyzed by RNA sequencing to study LOXL1's mechanisms regulating liver fibrosis. Results: LOXL1 in HSCs modulated ECM composition changes in endothelial cells in coculture studies. LOXL1 loss in HSCs suppressed HSC activation, LSEC capillarization, and macrophage infiltration, improved ECM remodeling, and attenuated liver fibrosis in HFCDAA-fed and CCl4-exposed mice. Our RNA sequencing data, corroborated by public database analyses, indicated RUNX family transcription factor 1 (RUNX1) was implicated in HSC activation and LOXL1-mediated angiogenesis. We propose that LOXL1 enhances HSC activation and LSEC capillarization through the RUNX 1/vascular endothelial growth factor A signaling axis CONCLUSIONS: Our study reveals novel mechanistic insights into liver fibrosis, highlighting HSC-derived LOXL1 as a central modulator of disease initiation and progression. Targeting the LOXL1/RUNX1/vascular endothelial growth factor A axis offers a promising therapeutic strategy for liver fibrosis.