Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is characterized by hepatic steatosis, insulin resistance, and systemic pro-inflammatory response. Thymosin β4 (Tβ4) is a bioactive polypeptide that inhibits extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition and protects the liver. It can achieve immune homeostasis by regulating the polarization of liver macrophages and is a potential treatment for NAFLD. METHODS: A dataset was used to evaluate the expression of Tβ4 in fatty and non-fatty adjacent tissues of primary hepatocellular carcinoma. NAFLD was induced in C57 mice with methionine and choline-deficient diet (MCD), siRNATβ4 was injected into the tail vein to reduce liver Tβ4, and the therapeutic effect of Tβ4 was observed by phagocytosis of macrophages with clodronate liposomes. Hematoxylin and Eosin staining (HE) staining was used to observe the inflammation of mice in each group, and oil red O staining was used to determine the lipid accumulation. Macrophage polarization was detected by immunofluorescence assay. In the extrachromosomal experiment of oil red O, human myeloid leukemia mononuclear (THP-1) cells was co-cultured with human hepatic (LO2) constructed with oleic acid to detect the changes of aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT) in supernatant and the apoptosis of LO2 under the intervention of different concentrations of Tβ4. RESULTS: Tβ4 allowed the mice to recover from NAFLD and reduce liver inflammation more effectively. Liver steatosis was more severe in sirnat4 mice. Macrophages are involved in Tβ4 treatment of NAFLD. The expression level of M1 phenotype in macrophages treated with Tβ4 decreased, and the apoptosis of hepatocytes decreased. At the same time, Tβ4 down-regulates signal transduction and activator of transcription1 (STAT1) phosphorylation and increases suppressor of cytokine signaling1/3 (SOCS1/3) expression in hepatocytes. DISCUSSION: This study revealed the molecular mechanism of the effective effect of Tβ4 on the polarization of liver macrophages, suggesting that Tβ4 may be a potential therapeutic measure for NAFLD.