The Patatin-Like Phospholipase Domain-Containing 3 148M Variant Exacerbates Alcohol-Induced Liver Injury and Tumorigenesis in Mice

Abstract

Patatin-like phospholipase domain-containing 3 (PNPLA3) protein 148M variant is strongly associated with cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC); however, the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. This study aimed to elucidate the role of the PNPLA3148M variant in alcohol-related HCC development. Control and humanized PNPLA3148M transgenic mice were fed with an ethanol-containing diet for 12 weeks. The animals were examined for liver tumors. After the alcohol feeding, the PNPLA3148M mice had twofold higher liver cancer incidence rates and larger tumor sizes than those in the control mice. Cancer stem cell markers in the PNPLA3148M mouse livers were elevated relative to those in the control mouse livers. Alcohol detoxification was impaired in the PNPLA3148M mouse livers. Hepatic oxidative stress and DNA damage were elevated in the PNPLA3148M mice. Wnt/β-catenin and Yes-associated protein (YAP) and WW domain-containing transcription regulator 1 (TAZ) were activated in the PNPLA3148M mouse livers. The data suggest that the PNPLA3148M variant has a strong interaction with alcohol in HCC development through attenuation of alcohol detoxification and promotion of oncogenic pathways. Targeting the PNPLA3148M variant might be useful for the prevention or treatment of alcohol-associated HCC in patients carrying this variant.