Hepatic steatosis, the buildup of neutral lipids in lipid droplets (LDs), is commonly referred to as metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) when alcohol or viral infections are not involved. MASLD encompasses simple steatosis and the more severe metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), characterized by inflammation, hepatocyte injury, and fibrosis. Previously viewed as inert markers of disease, LDs are now understood to play active roles in disease etiology and have significant non-pathological and pathological functions in cell signaling and function. These dynamic properties of LDs are tightly regulated by hundreds of proteins that coat the LD surface, controlling lipid metabolism, trafficking, and signaling. The following review highlights various facets of LD biology with the primary goal of discussing key mechanisms through which LDs can promote the development of advanced liver diseases including MASH.

中文翻译：

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脂滴与 MASLD 病理生理学耦合的机制


肝脂肪变性，即中性脂质在脂滴 （LD） 中的积累，当不涉及酒精或病毒感染时，通常被称为代谢功能障碍相关脂肪性肝病 （MASLD）。MASLD 包括单纯性脂肪变性和更严重的代谢功能障碍相关脂肪性肝炎 （MASH），其特征是炎症、肝细胞损伤和纤维化。LD 以前被视为疾病的惰性标志物，现在被认为在疾病病因学中起着积极作用，并且在细胞信号传导和功能中具有重要的非病理和病理功能。LD 的这些动态特性受到覆盖在 LD 表面的数百种蛋白质的严格调节，控制脂质代谢、运输和信号传导。以下综述重点介绍了 LD 生物学的各个方面，主要目的是讨论 LDs 促进包括 MASH 在内的晚期肝病发展的关键机制。