Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a clinically serious stage of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Histologically characterized by hepatocyte ballooning, immune cell infiltration, and fibrosis, NASH, at a molecular level, involves lipid-induced hepatocyte death and cytokine production. Currently, there are very few diagnostic biomarkers available to screen for NASH, and no pharmacological intervention is available for its treatment. In this study, we show that hepatocyte damage induced by lipotoxicity results in the release of extracellular RNAs (eRNAs), which serve as damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) that stimulate the expression of pro-apoptotic and pro-inflammatory cytokines, aggravate inflammation, and lead to cell death in HepG2 cells. Furthermore, the inhibition of eRNA activity by RNase 1 significantly increases cellular viability and reduces NF-kB-mediated cytokine production. Similarly, RNase 1 administration significantly improves hepatic steatosis, inflammatory and injury markers in a murine NASH model. Therefore, this study, for the first time, underscores the therapeutic potential of inhibiting eRNA action as a novel strategy for NASH treatment.
Keywords: damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs); extracellular RNA; inflammation; lipotoxicity; non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).