Targeting cell-intrinsic metabolism for antifibrotic therapy

Abstract

In recent years, there have been major advances in our understanding of the mechanisms underlying fibrosis progression and regression, and how coordinated interactions between parenchymal and non-parenchymal cells impact on the fibrogenic process. Recent studies have highlighted that metabolic reprogramming of parenchymal cells, immune cells (immunometabolism) and hepatic stellate cells is required to support the energetic and anabolic demands of phenotypic changes and effector functions. In this review, we summarise how targeting cell-intrinsic metabolic modifications of the main fibrogenic cell actors may impact on fibrosis progression and we discuss the antifibrogenic potential of metabolically targeted interventions.

Keywords: autophagy; fibrosis; glucose metabolism; hepatic stellate cells; hepatocytes; immunometabolism; innate-like lymphoid cells; lipid metabolism; macrophages; nuclear receptors.