Therapeutic inhibition of inflammatory monocyte recruitment reduces steatohepatitis and liver fibrosis

Macrophages are key regulators of liver fibrosis progression and regression in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Liver macrophages comprise resident phagocytes, Kupffer cells, and monocyte‐derived cells, which are recruited through the chemokine receptor C‐C motif chemokine receptor 2 (CCR2). We aimed at elucidating the therapeutic effects of inhibiting monocyte infiltration in NASH models by using cenicriviroc (CVC), an oral dual chemokine receptor CCR2/CCR5 antagonist that is under clinical evaluation. Human liver tissues from NASH patients were analyzed for CCR2 + macrophages, and administration of CVC was tested in mouse models of steatohepatitis, liver fibrosis progression, and fibrosis regression. In…

• DF
  Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft