Project

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is the most prevalent chronic liver disease in Western societies, closely associated with obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and metabolic syndrome. It has emerged as the fastest growing cause of hepatocellular carcinoma and a leading indication for liver transplantation1. Despite its widespread prevalence and clinical impact, the mechanisms underlying MASLD progression remain poorly understood.
A recent study has reported that postprandial plasma lipidomics reveal specific alterations in hepatic-derived diacylglycerols in both MASLD patients and mouse models, highlighting the importance of dynamic metabolic responses after meals.
This project takes an integrative approach by combining clinical serum/plasma samples from MASLD patients at defined postprandial time points with mouse models fed a Western diet. Using highly targeted lipidomics, we identified a postprandial increase in diacylglycerols in MASLD mouse plasma.
Through untargeted metabolomics, lipidomics, and snRNA-seq, we aim to map the dynamic postprandial metabolic landscape in MASLD.
By uncovering cell-specific responses to postprandial metabolic stress, our research aims to identify novel therapeutic targets and provide mechanistic insights into MASLD progression.