Lipid metabolism in the liver

The liver is one of the most important regulators of systemic energy metabolism, including the coordinated uptake, storage and release of lipids. Lipid metabolism in the liver ranges from uptake of chylomicron-derived lipids and fatty acids arising from adipose tissue lipolysis, among other sources, to de novo lipogenesis, mitochondrial and peroxisomal oxidation, and lastly lipoprotein metabolism and secretion. These are only a few of the major hepatic metabolic pathways that impact metabolic homeostasis in the liver, but also systemically. Deregulation of any of these pathways has been associated with various pathologies, including non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and liver cancer, as well as obesity and type 2 diabetes. Given that dysfunctional hepatic lipid metabolism is a central feature of these disease states, and that reducing lipid burden in the liver is associated with improvements in NAFLD and insulin sensitivity, it is not surprising that extensive research efforts focus on novel therapeutic strategies to improve hepatic steatosis.

This collection aims to cover a broad range of aspects related to lipid metabolism in the liver, ranging from broad discovery projects to translational and clinical aspects of targeting lipid metabolism for (patho)physiological disease states.

The topics include but are not limited to:

• Targeting lipid metabolism for the treatment of NAFLD
• Understanding the link between hepatic lipid metabolism and insulin resistance
• The endocrine function of the liver – A focus on lipid release from the liver
• Sphingolipids – Major players in hepatic insulin resistance
• Circulating lipids as biomarkers for liver dysfunction
• Genetic factors underlying increased lipid burden in the liver

This Collection supports and amplifies research related to SDG 3.