Loss of TIM4-Dependent Efferocytosis in Kupffer Cells Promotes Liver Fibrosis in Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis

Abstract Background and aims Hepatocyte apoptosis is a key feature of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), but the fate of apoptotic hepatocytes in NASH is poorly understood. Herein we explore the hypothesis that impaired TIM4-mediated clearance of dead hepatocytes by liver macrophages (efferocytosis) is impaired in NASH and drives the progression to liver fibrosis. Methods Kupffer cell (KC)-TIM4 expression and efferocytosis were assayed in normal and NASH liver from humans and diet-induced NASH mice. The engulfment of human and mouse apoptotic hepatocytes by primary human and mouse liver KCs was assayed ex vivo . Causation was assessed in NASH mice using anti-TIM4 antibodies, KC-TIM4-knockout, or inducible KC-TIM4 expression, with analyses focused on efferocytosis of apoptotic hepatocytes by liver macrophages and liver fibrosis. Results In human and mouse NASH liver, apoptotic hepatocytes accumulated and was associated with the loss of the KC efferocytosis receptor TIM4. Anti-TIM4 inhibited the engulfment of apoptotic hepatocytes by primary human and mouse liver KCs ex vivo , and anti-TIM4 administration to early NASH mice worsened liver macrophage efferocytosis and accelerated the progression to fibrotic NASH. A similar result was obtained by genetically deleting TIM4 in KCs in NASH mice. Most importantly, genetic restoration of macrophage TIM4 in NASH mice enhanced the clearance of apoptotic hepatocytes by liver macrophages and decreased liver fibrosis. Conclusions The loss of macrophage TIM4 that occurs during NASH progression impairs the clearance of apoptotic hepatocytes by liver macrophages, which subsequently promotes the progression to fibrotic NASH. This pathogenic sequence of events can be prevented by restoring macrophage TIM4, suggesting that future therapeutic approaches designed to boost TIM4 expression in liver macrophages could represent a novel strategy to prevent fibrotic NASH progression. Lay summary Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is emerging as the leading cause of liver disease, but the processes leading to liver fibrosis in NASH, which determines clinical outcome, are incompletely understood. Our study provides evidence impaired clearance of dead liver cells by liver macrophages in NASH, which is due to loss of a macrophage receptor called TIM4, contributes to liver fibrosis. Knowledge of this process may suggest new ways to bolster the clearance of dead liver cells in NASH and thereby prevent the progression to liver fibrosis and subsequent liver disease.