Inhibiting PDPK1 and the phosphorylation of PDPK1(ser241) protect hepatocyte from Alcoholic steatohepatitis by promoting autophagy

Abstract

Abstract Health risk stemming from drinking alcohol is serious, sometimes even life-threatening. Alcoholic steatohepatitis (ASH) is a critical stage leading to cirrhosis and end-stage liver disease. However, its pathogenesis is still far from clearly understood and an effective treatment recognized widely haven’t been discovered. Interestingly, PDPK1, 3-phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase 1, also known as PDK1, were observed obviously increased in ASH model by our researchers. Meanwhile, we also investigated the protective role of autophagy playing in ASH. Here, we studied the function of PDPK1 and found an efficient treatment to alleviate symptoms by targeting PDPK1 in ASH. In our study, PDPK1 affects hepatocyte self-healing by inhibiting autophagy. Both inhibiting PDPK1 and the phosphorylation of PDPK1(ser241) could protect hepatocyte from suffering heavy alcoholic hepatitis.