Acute liver steatosis signals the chromatin for regeneration via MIER1

During liver regeneration, especially after a hepatectomy, hepatocytes experience significant lipid accumulation. These transiently accumulated lipids are generally believed to provide substrates for energy supply or membrane biomaterials for newly generated hepatocytes. Remarkably, a recent study found that acute lipid accumulation during regeneration can act as a signal for chromatin remodeling to regulate regeneration. Chen, Y.H., et al. identified MIER1 (mesoderm induction early response protein 1) as a crucial inhibitor of liver regeneration through in vivo CRISPR screening. MIER1 binds to and restrains cell cycle genes’ expression. During liver regeneration, acute lipid accumulation suppresses MIER1 translation via the EIF2S pathway, resulting in transient down-regulation of MIER1 protein, which promotes cell cycle gene expression and liver regeneration. Interestingly, the researchers also found that the dynamic regulation of MIER1 was impaired in fatty and aging livers with chronic steatosis, while of knockout of MIER1 in these animals improved their regenerative capacity. In conclusion, this study provides valuable insights into the complex mechanisms underlying liver regeneration and highlights the potential therapeutic applications of targeting MIER1 for improving liver regeneration in disease states associated with impaired lipid homeostasis.