HMGA2 knockdown alleviates the progression of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) by downregulating SNAI2 expression

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a complex disease that is considered as the next major health epidemic with alarmingly increasing global prevalence. To explore the pathogenesis of NAFLD, data from GSE118892 were analyzed. High mobility group AT-hook 2 (HMGA2), a member of the high mobility group family, is declined in liver tissues of NAFLD rats. However, its role in NAFLD remains unknown. This study attempted to identify the multiple roles of HMGA2 in NAFLD process. NAFLD was induced in rats using a high-fat diet (HFD). In vivo, HMGA2 knockdown using adenovirus system attenuated liver injury and liver lipid deposition, accompanied by decreased NAFLD score, increased liver function, and decreased CD36 and FAS, indicating the deceleration of NAFLD progression. Moreover, HMGA2 knockdown restrained liver inflammation by decreasing the expression of related inflammatory factors. Importantly, HMGA2 knockdown attenuated liver fibrosis via downregulating the expression of fibrous proteins, and inhibiting the activation of TGF-β1/SMAD signaling pathway. In vitro, HMGA2 knockdown relieved palmitic acid (PA)-induced hepatocyte injury and attenuated TGF-β1-induced liver fibrosis, consistent with in vivo findings. Strikingly, HMGA2 activated the transcription of SNAI2, which was evidenced by the dual luciferase assays. Moreover, HMGA2 knockdown largely downregulated SNAI2 levels. Indeed, SNAI2 overexpression effectively blocked the inhibitory effect of HMGA2 knockdown on NAFLD. Totally, our findings reveal that HMGA2 knockdown alleviates the progression of NAFLD by directly regulating the transcription of SNAI2. HMGA2 inhibition may emerge as a potential therapeutic target for NAFLD.