{
  "abstract": "Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) refers to a spectrum of liver disorders characterised by hepatic steatosis, which most often occurs in the setting of established metabolic disorders, such as obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus. MASLD is a complex and multifactorial condition for which numerous molecular pathways have been explored. This has led to the identification of a wide range of potential therapeutic targets for disease management, including nuclear receptors, membrane receptors, enzymes, and signalling proteins.1 Because excess lipid droplet (LD) formation within hepatocytes is a hallmark of MASLD pathogenesis, a particularly active area of research focuses on proteins localised to the LD surface, including those that regulate the activity of the rate-limiting lipolytic enzyme adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL; also known as patatin-like phospholipase domain-containing protein 2, PNPLA2). Certain LD proteins play key roles in controlling ATGL access to triglycerides and therefore rates of triglyceride hydrolysis into free fatty acids. Among these are perilipins (PLINs), which constitute a family of LD-associated proteins that regulate lipid storage and lipolysis. In the liver, PLIN2 is the most abundant PLIN and functions to limit access of ATGL to its triglyceride substrate. PLIN2 expression levels correlate with hepatic steatosis in humans and in both genetic and diet-induced mouse models of MASLD.2 3 The human PLIN2 p.Ser251Pro variant affects hepatocellular LD morphology2 and may reduce liver fat in human subjects.4",
  "authors": [
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Medicine/Karsh Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA"
      ],
      "name": "Sepideh Mikaeeli"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Medicine/Karsh Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA"
      ],
      "name": "David E Cohen"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Targeting lipid droplets in the management of MASLD",
  "uid": "0371a95b-d395-5bdf-a33f-1b630311297a"
}