Study Findings from University of Piemonte Orientale Broaden Understanding of Mononuclear Phagocyte System [Role of the co-stimulatory molecule inducible T-cell co-stimulator ligand (ICOSL) in the progression of experimental metabolic...].

A study conducted by researchers at the University of Piemonte Orientale in Novara, Italy, explores the role of the co-stimulatory molecule inducible T-cell co-stimulator ligand (ICOSL) in the progression of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). The study found that ICOS was up-regulated on CD8+ T-cells and ICOSL was expressed by macrophages in animal models of MASH. Additionally, ICOSL deficiency in mice resulted in milder steatohepatitis and reduced liver fibrosis. The findings suggest that the interaction between CD8+ T-cells and monocyte-derived macrophages through ICOS/ICOSL contributes to the development of steatohepatitis and that targeting ICOS/ICOSL could be a potential therapeutic intervention for MASH. [Extracted from the article]