Mechanisms underlying nonalcoholic steatohepatitis

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a spectrum of liver damage, encompasses steatosis, steatohepatitis, an intermediate stage of liver disease and cirrhosis. Although NAFLD is the leading cause of chronic liver disease, no effective therapies currently exist. Complex interactions between injury and repair mechanisms likely determine disease progression in NAFLD. The development of successful treatments for NAFLD can be facilitated by understanding disease mechanisms.

Section editor:Yu-Xiao Yang – University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA