Pivotal Role of TNF-α in the Development and Progression of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in a Murine Model

Previously, we have shown that the adipocyte-specific nuclear form of sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c (nSREBP-1c) transgenic mice spontaneously developed hepatic lesions that are similar to those of human nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) with a concomitant elevation of plasma TNF-alpha. In this study, we analyzed the role of TNF-alpha in the progression of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). We established a Tnf knockout nSREBP-1c transgenic mouse line. Glucose tolerance and liver histology were examined at the age of 20 weeks. The gene expression and protein levels were assessed by quantitative RT-PCR and Western blot, respectively. The Tnf knockout improved glucose tolerance and significantly reduced the prevalence of hepatic steatosis (20 % vs. 100 %, p < 0.0001) and fibrosis (15 % vs. 65 %, p = 0.0057). The expressions of Acaca, Scd1, Mcp1, Tgfb1, Col1a1, and Timp1 were increased in the liver from the original nSREBP-1c transgenic mice. However, gene upregulation was reduced in the livers from the Tnf(-/-) nSREBP-1c transgenic mice. Furthermore, the hepatic levels of TIMP1 protein were increased in the original nSREBP-1c transgenic mice but not in Tnf(-/-) nSREBP-1c transgenic mice. To assess the direct effect of TNF-alpha on the expression of the genes, we cultured primary hepatocytes in the presence of TNF-alpha and found that TNF-alpha increased the expression of Mcp1, Tgfb1, and Timp1 in hepatocytes. These observations indicate that TNF-alpha plays a pivotal role in the development of NAFLD and progression to NASH through upregulating key molecules associated with lipid metabolism, inflammatory cytokines, and fibrosis in the liver.