Hepatic Cell News

Hepatic Cell News is an online resource covering the top research on hepatocytes and liver diseases.

SMYD2-Mediated Methylation of STAT1 Protects against Hepatic Ischaemia/Reperfusion Injury by Blocking JAK-STAT1 Signaling Pathways

January 15, 2026

[Gut] Investigators identified SMYD2, SET and MYND domain Containing 2 (SMYD2) as a critical regulator of signal transducers and activators of transcription 1 (STAT1) and investigated the mechanistic basis of SMYD2-mediated post-translational modifications in modulating STAT1 function during hepatic ischaemia/reperfusion.

Targeting SPAK Suppresses Progression and Averts an Immune Exhaustive Microenvironment in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

January 15, 2026

[Nature Communications] Researchers showed STE20/SPS1-related proline/alanine-rich kinase (SPAK) as a candidate immune exhaustion–associated gene identified through a pooled screen of protein kinases.

PSMD1 Inhibition Suppresses Tumor Progression and Enhances Antitumor Immunity by Modulating the RTKN/β-Catenin/PD-L1 Axis in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

January 15, 2026

[Cell Death & Disease] Scientists focused on PSMD1 to investigate its role and the molecular pathways by which it regulates the response to immunotherapy in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Combination of GLP-1 Receptor Agonist and Akkermansia muciniphila Akk11 Reduces Adiposity and Ameliorates MASLD in T2D Mice

January 15, 2026

[Cell & Bioscience] The authors investigated the metabolic and mechanistic effects of combining semaglutide with Akkermansia muciniphila 11 (Akk11) in db/db mice, a model of type 2 diabetes (T2D)-associated metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD).

PAD4+ Neutrophils Promote Hepatic Stellate Cell Activation and Accelerate MASH Fibrosis Progression viaNET-DNA/TAOK1/MAPK Pathways

January 15, 2026

[JCI Insight] Analysis of liver biopsies from 265 patients revealed a strong association between elevated neutrophil counts and metabolic dysfunction–associated steatohepatitis (MASH) severity, particularly fibrosis.

Alisol F 24-Acetate Attenuated Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis by Targeting the KEAP1/NRF2-Mediated Macrophage Pyroptosis

January 15, 2026

[Chinese Medicine] Scientists suggested that alisol F 24-acetate suppressed macrophage pyroptosis by targeting KEAP1/NRF2 interactions, providing reliable data on the protective mechanism of natural antioxidants against metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis.

Pharmacological, Molecular Mechanisms, and Therapeutic Potential of β-Caryophyllene, and β-Caryophyllene-Rich Plants in Liver Diseases

January 15, 2026

[FASEB Journal] The authors compile, summarize, and critically analyze findings from in vitro and in vivo studies on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, recently termed as metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), alcoholic liver disease, and liver fibrosis, highlighting the pharmacological and molecular mechanisms underlying therapeutic effects.

Madrigal Expands its MASH Pipeline with Exclusive Global License Agreement for Ervogastat, a Phase II Oral DGAT-2 Inhibitor

January 15, 2026

[Madrigal Pharmaceuticals, Inc.] Madrigal Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced an exclusive global license agreement with Pfizer for ervogastat, a clinical-stage oral DGAT-2 inhibitor, strengthening the company’s leadership in shaping the next generation of MASH therapies and combination regimens.

Modeling Immune Lineage Co-Development in Human Pluripotent Stem Cell-derived Liver Organoids

December 22, 2025

[Journal of Hepatology] The authors generated fetal liver-like organoids from hPSCs to study cross-lineage self-organization by co-developing a hemogenic mesoderm and hepatic endoderm.

NRAV Promotes HCC Stemness via the m6a-Regulated Let-7c-5p/LIN28B Axis

December 17, 2025

[Cancer Gene Therapy] Investigators identified negative regulator of antiviral response (NRAV) as an m6A-modified lncRNA that promotes HCC stemness through a defined molecular axis.

Hepatic Metabolic Reprogramming in Male Mice during Short-Term Caloric Restriction Involves Enhanced Glucocorticoid Rhythms

December 11, 2025

[Nature Communications] Scientists showed that in the liver, the glucocorticoid receptor is required for the metabolic response to caloric restriction.

Decoding the CHI3L1/IL-13Rα2 Signaling Nexus in MASH-Fibrosis Pathogenesis

December 11, 2025

[Science Advances] Investigators identified chitinase 3-like 1 (CHI3L1) as a key mediator linking immune activation to fibrotic remodeling in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH).

The publications featured in Hepatic Cell News are expertly selected by our in-house editorial team from high impact, peer-reviewed academic journals. We cover areas including the culturing and characterization of hepatocytes, liver stem cells, and the pathogenesis of conditions such as liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Additionally, we provide the latest updates on broader news, upcoming events, and job postings to keep the global liver research community connected!