Abstract
Liver non-parenchymal cells (NPCs) play a critical role in the progression of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). We aimed to explore the heterogeneity of NPCs and identify NASH-specific subpopulations contributing to NASH progression. Through single-cell RNA sequencing, we uncovered a proinflammatory subpopulation of Itgadhi/Fcrl5hi macrophages with potential function of modulating macrophage accumulation and promoting NASH development. We also identified subpopulations of Egr1hi and Ly6ahi liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs), which might participate in pathological angiogenesis and inflammation regulation. The Itgadhi/Fcrl5hi macrophages, Egr1hi LSECs, and Ly6ahi LSECs emerged in the early stage and expanded significantly along with pathological progression of liver injury during NASH. Cell-cell interactions between hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and Itgadhi/Fcrl5hi macrophages, Egr1hi LSECs or Ly6ahi LSECs were enhanced in NASH liver. Our results revealed that expansion of Itgadhi/Fcrl5hi macrophages, Egr1hi LSECs or Ly6ahi LSECs was strongly associated with NASH severity, suggesting these subpopulations might be involved in NASH progression.