Notch signaling regulates macrophage-mediated inflammation in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease

Abstract

The liver macrophage population comprises resident Kupffer cells (KCs) and monocyte-derived macrophages with distinct pro- or anti-inflammatory properties that affect the severity and course of liver diseases. The mechanisms underlying macrophage differentiation and functions in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease and/or steatohepatitis (MASLD/MASH) remain mostly unknown. Using single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and fate mapping of hepatic macrophage subpopulations, we unraveled the temporal and spatial dynamics of distinct monocyte and monocyte-derived macrophage subsets in MASH. We revealed a crucial role for the Notch-Recombination signal binding protein for immunoglobulin kappa J region (RBPJ) signaling pathway in controlling the monocyte-to-macrophage transition, with Rbpj deficiency blunting inflammatory macrophages and monocyte-derived KC differentiation and conversely promoting the emergence of protective Ly6C^lo monocytes. Mechanistically, Rbpj deficiency promoted lipid uptake driven by elevated CD36 expression in Ly6C^lo monocytes, enhancing their protective interactions with endothelial cells. Our findings uncover the crucial role of Notch-RBPJ signaling in monocyte-to-macrophage transition and will aid in the design of therapeutic strategies for MASH treatment.

Keywords: Kupffer cell; Ly6C(hi) monocyte; Ly6C(lo) monocyte; MASH; Notch; RBPJ; inflammation; liver; macrophage; monocyte.