Warning: fopen(/home/virtual/e-cmh/journal/upload/ip_log/ip_log_2025-11.txt): failed to open stream: Permission denied in /home/virtual/lib/view_data.php on line 92 Warning: fwrite() expects parameter 1 to be resource, boolean given in /home/virtual/lib/view_data.php on line 93 Ursolic acid: A promising therapeutic agent for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease via inhibition of SPP1-induced Th17 cell differentiation: Editorial on “Ursolic acid targets secreted phosphoprotein 1 to regulate Th17 cells against metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease”
Skip to main navigation Skip to main content

CMH : Clinical and Molecular Hepatology

OPEN ACCESS
ABOUT
BROWSE ARTICLES
FOR CONTRIBUTORS

Articles

Editorial

Ursolic acid: A promising therapeutic agent for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease via inhibition of SPP1-induced Th17 cell differentiation: Editorial on “Ursolic acid targets secreted phosphoprotein 1 to regulate Th17 cells against metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease”

Clinical and Molecular Hepatology 2024;30(4):709-713.
Published online: June 11, 2024

Department of Nanobiomedical Science and BK21 PLUS NBM Global Research Center for Regenerative Medicine, Dankook University, Cheonan, KoreaJFIFddDuckydqhttp://ns.adobe.com/xap/1.0/ Adobed     ! 1AQa"q 2#w8B36v7XRr$9bCt%u&Ws'(xy4T5fH  !1AQaq"2B Rbr#u67Ѳ3sTt5v8Sc$4ĂCÔ%UӅFV ?_Aנj- H>>,m*>fzp"TrKkr^r.|_&]|*vPuܶvoQ1mwVJUhu-I"=LniAƕ8"۲ k*ҿ[yu:.vUQ+)%F DHyVBk>Hy8jݹ q~9D4KRmzQ)^ʔ.J%k_tVi5NTjg!'ky|5asOȻ)R۸ߩFMԿ3L4j6dڜ#NIwUF]JqB/(FafJRzq3\G՛ ?~\ 6)6W4m[O^L0E&rRMض*C .]Unl-1 1r#Rj/&QɈ׉˩s6Rj=5Tg.y.·Pӡ:JJS:C8-2u]d&vUz;7p9 5VnL֢"y)">iי(IDDd| Yj0; LRfS:ktYK%*N2^m|&dğth":ey)uPQZW)gcC3Pv&MMWd&Ŵ۲mvTRoժM03*F3Yd6\8,\hݻ kߔi<k NTwSԪmljj[>->ptU%'LR>&EBH$MQAUx[$Z6vi&_a.KIQ{hyƒ j"JOC9eFҝfj;˚Ω<[3_m% lQ@4g=5$(J]Yc-OMq<Ǎ wSzڗ)k$7VIP붾ͯnV+卵*t]iЎD31~SA1éC2u)ʼnQn-Uoi3:grI8ؓWm*G zܕ)ZקJ}Y YlGeJ6cB2I NS3Q>k=KTBT]W6+SOXQgGR? telˊ%-Re\hѯ2TF"C/OJΩ6r[N.0{SpljjX1“jOsӥ;ҭhe}xu`Ք&.)yO̒ Fߑ.$Qw;9Iw2o+RVJMSOj[SoҌZ%;`d$blQ{Ro{Imڌ>3egf\O֝Uzx"䢸g+mv%Gʆ:|V[N'&ס-ޝ'kfE|K,G&˳98Juin/\\Qݿ̋v~Ǩ!rtWU d|E߫R4d}.qPw*Ӭv5YEcn~f5c%MTMkb-F>5JT,})QHg%{("ӔȸWMsYyWNRrkkJr0XドnͫT}r-jj,Ŕʍ\Q2Ri>v$5!]"JB2WɅ)]VԜUc8i|.jeRO6^V.¸ Q&#|ܶ-*uOG%JAtRZRr]FFG\۩w+?'zչSѧt jz>KW&ot{7P&2D;&\\>Q2JzܗAKSfeNn[jRrԕf6,q,F1tRfԗ>vֶևj-&R'Zi2=xv~Elbsvm8=ӛ"ū񕜈BȩlWau[]ٷBߨF~J!|Ipr3R̴#Yp)={7:G{+:\W}n|Q#%)7^-h"Ƒq:M*%J&$T軨I333׎g_- ucBwwjp[6i25$̏bU’ٱRv?G\~#Iͪb7<<}Ezt" q_Inw,7-d,G÷%T* Wg1"䥱kq/A.,_KhqŒxwvo u2ۥۧ.bQ}XκA$֣ +K״ZUNmڸII{.v{5z5ѮRme[moyƾd~cRݾK'j.\i&/S6f|b=5: p!6i_ 4j6=.si˧eƾtS^c.Y^RJVS-Vi3,esi08?H$GvZgg?gi䤟2adw릿:"۪lkSN>q-4kI܋ێe̊qۅgDoѨ9; #T.Q;7#~_Ufstb_'w~Xw1Xk,vcOt._}v}8"(4Z\ۘgk?J?bm_c!g{HZV]Fkk%~gEt)b秴vΰB|꽸}mp~E6ݹv;7P٤v+ri*3Ԣ|'O14_~7nP{7ZU\Vű[ +7󖱅o#:ǥŬ\|3r%TJX]V7ez¨Y]lc|O3V! R zbJ'PnGqVJ"19WVeOF埜EaEJωqCN5Z g-9[S<$sUK5b|7sn\7x qmv##FF\ w[=-43$^ooVSiXօv7iB۴yg>]Vf"r$J3""32!Zh[K%7GvNLs+4nB/B{vlsobJaҺJR:0g%&zR\ S3T[&ִor*ⷳc3ʊO[iozW٨%$gn:ܶWwFBԹjHP&z u&F2\f;ipW73 [; '_̽b;vib!oec dC-tS__$Xs]l9&z$2/N>%'[}b{h/{`{Ji׉׏ YJB/X%}.|+{(S:qz]4_Kѵo`^tY_4S#* ^zvݾMr+TrkQ g.8Ͽ^i>ӈǙvix>$o( ^qt*&t1oJVu-ql5U6jCЉmĻ*"?JT=K'O/|=Vo}l0b}}f?X[?/\JSBe,kP8ETJ==?.p5ފgbU9}ǶdNKk—_$8̸͓ۍ8Di\BԿ-1v{FF]|.^ۅ{vl12׏z7-R7wE?\nh\jN/Kձr_oBw"N QMBZqe-m:ӨSn6j4%!hQ;sv'm4kcM=!8\m[M4{SMliۇ%eֽR&N:{2A8)THLK3Zj[jPBx#BگMf:G1\`edcʮ?|w(-̮vXt,bW2;.ιNHRR#YwTM"<;mk\.foIDjmlJ;vxy7o7i\,KQŊ9d^Mmgc L*.T6tLeIuOH3SJQ3=F/ʿ<9\JM6mN6=<{xkP!F1QR[I$6ُimXu2An2yԒMU q f[IB-'䤯jYm52&JG\zд\~vdg QtHGXw&1Lw+nDEdC1w|YJmvP)HZ>i0BPβә?R:QO["]I_Jʏۍ>QKyu^bycBq4lXF~l [\*N>-J6,Gq(Zr5h]CwYӤU~ʶߑ u*SIv%ZfJ7)! FS*s_\|IŸZ)J ]ܜi4"z[+Z,MOZ))}|Ʀ(RUNIII.S'ˍO~˨rn}M)xxӕ0 eyҵ7YMAB]ӣU:/ѭ*6bcwP͵ "+qēVjŹO|GtY4V j[mLV M -m>",B$ GD1~j6O4|LxnNmqATNR3ε|DŽa[fmn-ڭ+FiK7Pcm;r5 l8r{#-]'nrFh2ruycb;pW=njRqRJ(d mnpckNnʹ+6]tz~E=ʕ l ZZ5jSi3#47.Lcfe`9؏v囜.F\-UZ:*0_<Νu9Lӵm&)_3\^ҹ3"1n1v_|uRʞͫr'iȧN_kH׺8xXrj=\МH)V\ˬ.Xʸ oVRC}ySU9/OBY먌5 ٿwޞ)rw8Ӫi5*5ZΗcGƱ !ZۄlmpjJ -l <R̵/JAպZuq\IdUS 48wXJJtcg4cI~aqߓwŷrm-v)G7yS^7H^-\mŌAq|"m9IBnF㏉9[N+mmy/!KKۉ%n +BdddfFF6FQRN-U5;Sv'm4kcM=Mn)\qιqUd9F%",6MGdT%-+~ f%+y֛^3SrF>6lc(֪vۊN;g._0Sѧ]ETWرkQKzGe9ʨsKA"yC y2\[5 rԭ7Gk5Mzw_4sM3hxЊ'oÍ5jsub )ͪ~tR2H]R͍>̋m6=%(˿(Wrr-܅y5(ܔJ޺YunW̹븹NsqK ]/QR#"ZMDfD|43Qw|._ԡSqTZBg??O Ϥ)/E_U|i}2 9Z?¹0:x'3,whǣ?C y-A~=daJј&M?D1_PS+Oi&;a @;Dž7[ zZC"bv:jjMQk$M RԸ3uA\=wI.AwC"^.{?-\NSiˏ"b}T/}q/ o.1M}R%:-ZniʒL$SgrBW*,Mw'N\ɇ{s\j]VryG'8f`}'N<*/`U숻z CwHq18J+vԕKss4R53/&XTt1bZƟo\=%nO)h$rBi-nKĪ^ ջڜlwkYm[̑+/QrZo%TQ;TLs($2C:s.%+eoNttq۰kK7O0m_t_pZ1SsSM7"mevFZ[w -FJ*T*jФQRg BSu|]g:ɵzjqwmltL.e3sRMچkSmjkmWœިm++¦'tILk*բQ D,PB\lI[9{%Gb R6öۍmX-MaʉA931cs..G4CujQտ[9 }G-xwl)IQz j Ó"rqe&=]꾧֎c)<kӳ+0JrRR3'TnXi^xMF Bު*tIL.[h"2"nKzZe'ZV/RrNYz]8죝n]Ķܩ>^Ժ]u-7^\mZjܣ9+Rmn ߑv?oꋘ?&ƪy^N4o=3-ؔ̿*`}V݁ ƒPu8%$ ݗ]wt;\y\>='OjPIp/nJU8{϶FNMsf"ίNqƹ(+ ݮF2Km |jܴZs%zf*eȫ?]4)I۵nR&FX + [jDh(#哑9q9Eծj8noǕZf\J-l&Z˫}`ӎhyrΉn\űn]9pʌӣ"׮Wt?N4_I_~54#/my1Xr*척aS#DT >q ssΛW;3oUaJSRMDgQnt:Ql,/ ܷfRqiM Ȼ>Cob;A>ڦWقM9X~/!'MW.}Vrߔꔵ!5|iB(0-zF=}okڢE$^wW~nokY߮\6՜̌{i-AF*9)\t9IV6۸5ZUF6R$ŨQIq砳YUZ]eyv >hI櫥N )&l JulwE1GDOuFN2| }馥uC1rޫV+^gdb&W[4<^e4YW,d|htͮsUM)۸8:{3d{AѢ)~ \#J=NdƮꮓ90 |1K$v*?мS ]i$J,C,SG?/_՜pMSƯM|mG1V1$~K>CSvkuj=&) -,yLjuFHK{c駗.SOua;BrSqj-ۍZ#'Jys7[g2z/.u4+XV2VQ.ޕ)$"(%)#Z7suZ%j }BǬݕe)Jvz8zJf:hIN|svO1O#IEcۍjݽ:SdὮvu^@:o^5cs>i/VqmVm]ؔܢn6'vޑ̗J4Wn@OlKbX ;n:hgJ9ŻyǑz8f܌q&Y fN0N;[69 rbׅC2/#kE l&2~èMR.*%g=Ft.%؝e8<.e=Uv{~㻏"EˑnvDѭ͜Lu3u0:U֝$[M5<:oi+V4V9 6nXvx&_ q Qqw3W:uϔ2yb/(ɳ|5zQiJ#r|Hw#.W?4aDŲ\ugWG;Cw鐢K|xg)##=O.dF˟jMUvWĻsr.z]kPc9"]R)mkfOd*uYf١RsB Aîh=k]ʳUrrZsq`d#r$/Ը3o^&lRWȍyuW̦Y4QDUMJ65ƒ[+ygk XK_±k#y:8(TJOSQhJt2.DR}"5[) r)6V6u5k:eXZmv𭤔!푊Q[qQ}ҹLE- 8qIZG|UM4j}Mܕ[Vwm{} Naqµ"ԈM zOpKѰ?IAD3Ir0'/q1itoB5{%wkOBn-ۜduqIzYK60{+DʕܞqIt";r1mG/\/ym[6JƫR \L=S=OT@Ix[TMm{>ݾտ֒ݸӉLYIx>+"JVNzx||5rI?C{oz8۹e\R-^\A2F R+N9 vlT]"ۭ d)t֞i #E2jB@׵=#/N+!ĕhx}I!cM`ąZ*ŻɄҒ߮Y.Z}='/oۙ3IpW̮hT7cTSuz9>B}΄&h!>lӵn~j˅IvU.'v'CSZw8QK3G> ,J59ٷ+HSg䧎hJdzvwv-cvxS5[̊n~ؿ%ַX?O0\6ne 6kn9.ϯ} *h 8_QhLݣ7q +=XBҲ5?[[)+F`=4 }B,sNg==u*Nj9k_GJ)+R~GSPBȒZ:(K]heL=vKPӢwq(NrG^ثϣ?#tC?.ͼ[ۅo؞y#%ǛjVyLSw%T*s92JTM%"YkQО.q)gCͲn8cgi6j1MѾ[{9h^vƘǚםidfi.^RHmg&rׇz:}݃}xT$ضk'5s-狶,\vpbPD،=Okf.c#cdz2FK5T!&)|ntD<+OŹU i-G[EE*FDfeaf2QƤM\UG_{ǹm%\yrGy:.\4wjPGUJޕUV7Do\7Vy_13w;[?c]H\$IJ,*L]3b%L{y.JRKG2sq,B6T}(#nW|km+q5] r㪍bJ@y{byz,b踊3ϻJ,'^xd،)JVw#.Vټc''ÝպWtbRؒJz۠8!o9IۄS95E9ؔ-e9JR{dmnッ<[~n${~Њ$W?&ՐY_? #a.ߑv?oꋘ?&ơ|y^N4o=3t=~7!/M3>n8W홎2M`Qx+ z qy8%]7_~540ۦ彷]Wq CѡwkďyF5Dum_}~P(5.(X,K9vᯐ?leB9;Jhm#3{CxGE-S{;@Fz˙]=O'!ɿ]' r`:7'2bЖ>Iy,/eTy/V<.H?UYY{\^#ѣr9^7?xoRȆ7EoS_&??zϾM?(~Q-K&>"~aߨ t7Emsϛ+?;fCr)fY+>z$tIkjn_>vnrֳki-˹l= t;'EyC¥|/BLwBJdgjۛ$s S1|ɍV%JI6KvəhzIlBYɒ|0"Sy0F>eo5W)O+X˻u';v)2vVq۳kۮws?UʑBǴYO漪e2MIjPAک\b1)DDؚKm6ZWΨgȕ۶yjڳ 2ضN[C[|r@9Jfo<_eI7q.|cÊV߷:i.:$ȋ)1%%)ADZCEBxJ0MJۥy(bNsKM9k43IwNt.\%N簤I'.j|ƃ2$grBEٌ\}9:v*!n7M(ɽ]7c@XxƱԨ37īf62cTTfFK]9wntQHͮvٱI/f|j=7}\_V5U^+:uljSȃY(XI.ȱmo1甅jڎIZ2>#\*:gY|4k\8ZwSqtyA!+];бޞKծË¥e)#5ap.QK^8VdU{*ѽL\=qmjnB5>{ Ӟ`v±5 ^k&O~Oshɷ,;6nOW>u6{RqS`)S%jp\ipdEBLfTWy$GIYw~䲭J.1vSY5z.V>^+Ǎvc.I[R{QsNR3ӎfhd>y?UJ*}~[e\i5U^͛E]G_FS(Iɿ]i8:4zj~շsW,ˆsy:%O}iur]iF5~3M:Ӟ#N06)4ߧgdawIotiz:1r5YDZLHBSi;NQc44la=Y kQIT*ըl:tq2(է9VO4뒳܂~2rq'nrVZŦ[t7\oլfb/mlpc.I8콚q^1iE~䰳mi[dۧw֤ICfdFeCsg:i| 6擣׋* 96lust^{%99UNRvaMܽo ammi$em4D6DD\nA%$$#}۷/ݕr99JMն[oT޲E"KTaP+HGkŴj5TM5xƱOS-k`ۛkٝWz;{kS}F;~q|~^_|euwnE'pSupUP)V]vE+t =ZRaVdG6= *.ϼnj9:UɷbېmF_tޫgHjVS'śǕًdkkѻ_]Kv?nT>)^e=Ar1'3ԔILyD?:-^in):{7.؂\.:V }#뺾.3r̸*xbFM aȵz 6SQ:ײj[ 8nn iFMw rR"5M5I旘35f^j='j:nNW.ʭocZvZKV^ɚJ.cM1ZI7E'6rg탸5oZ=[m Z`\hbMUR١Ȗĉ):Jin!_7Dй+f̷eKҷvͨBPR(V`y6tw*MRΝcB.ڭTnc;P$8nFvm4(D(R#R-L -2:FP lxZKQc6I("Km%$E, 78uXIFA$RQI$JbInG]c[ֹ:ZM+n^')JmJMJRu{e)7jQDw~%yQl}BZujSSf۩QZ+Dzhd5o%BIc'GZ?}΍:>Ɵivז-%݌J5MqGWTVʦh݇ܟ~Օ_6 n'{3~mϬj'J11OȻn߃r Qr\3y٘+WӍ'WxEs^O3 o~[|7>]]H9݇ZomT@]?5B:Z߂'`V_+/MSKX߆ޠk3?o7y:4R/7þ] iG߬aBRU&?r&/} cQߥGj2?C5Yśe7hU=?+ x龳f-܈czW^7p%-(\D4h{UK&ӡn^m]Fݢ:`δvj俜F+) y[{{ 7 tu>gvrěOj'5 iRg[ͶFjGe n~qT$ci ۚ0oԹc*jL[sVWqj\ݻ&6"WoK:cnWmrv)o>66(F>=W^bf#c zzʞtپy%mՉPël e}J.\Zk4ttt>oEM=q)hJjI=ͥ(%]脼_88ф;͛gWG;Cw~˘$4=uWdĜTثNDkiQL9U*O"4XP`02,Ge-k5$h>ܼ]3vr6!9RQPIVSnM(ۓ{>;/Qͱv{3&-[rc)ܚI$n{Sv3[j00)-D3z}MRzVQпj,T[uVs0\}Sid;r(ݝJ>æʺL&c[jPK0~d(FKÝW\m]GTcF|Iׁ)I3~#oX%vҦEݑؼ5Żv2qAZTE^..M{ʐfȏ2##.R}*KʛZz^ӞN*lPťLf\G6[WVQquV]XAi)5J!,$iJ6o$tPZc;Kjx_n3`qIelV~vLy{fn匋Ѿn%;zV.n'-ұdd2߽1bZksPe3TI9)$ԩIN9Vơ\=2885N\ p)/a柛w9g_lױo8ݷ iixJV& ғRi{N^_oAŮE6Y7I$Nk$|Q)-*4Z)^¸%4Qm [I%.c-OV+C֧R#%ѨCe3i;w$G+_dy| Fzj$DI(=OA gj%v/]8qԯNIS*֩',Q%\44ZZ%D|Ǧʴ6&vֵI$%8(ԬƾS&#Z. }6z?b/|Jl{ץv&mpx4Z$”ڝ4-H%dGKfM:sKSRWeJAn]>s6应-W9'H]'uȫYvgK^\czp|My\鏩w/ËQ.)]\QiS`8uL뚛̸=J"ܻi\å'-)54Ue]:K\퓡vK xwBqrH\*֕TnzC.mT=t-H]SČ~Nu╏NÅ3f|͡G~B+Xm[Q7U{9"~jgK Zoʰ7"qJ,ekSeNGgϳ] ^.6:s}_,%eRg<5⿨z{ZPun#jRІ.6g T.!]xa c#jN$Zpl̋H WZu8WmMRýsĮ?Mco~sx TU҆Q :KDG4n42.<3/'^?6/ܠڒ^yrrÿr2\D}}B]^E~^T cɛ7϶Y[<֞[7d}2%QPqOLEQR\CIsj1?\}%tJ0e~ *sk"*)&ۓEi#{1J8Hrt|'ܝRr8)=ƔN'RVz:cf]F7bZyZUȘ4x8,#JG̒?.W9XnO]KO]%]ƻ O5Γ/3qÓj؍/r̺rƵ 5\&m6h.xoeX[=<3%< lZ"2h\Z[&jW3ejm?k&[]ųj+{N{66leu_+lj]q* 7g*knأYv= q ەdxЬZ|%GUrQ3jLŒqET]1% qkXYūYc[7Ś]QY\jko\</Lc7+'hMSUc6qXyؙ~6#ѯv.0$BQi5YyIhɍiy=KD!n3Vm[V%W-B%swa97ajۗ m+9~]fKq|Ddaˑ0A]_v޺mM5* F-BYHJ5}q>ʉ.6hyDmpD׬'-_v5;5[8K[viJ.3dR:oYHHh9I7:۽fi+wm^ [)odPѱ52CZUJicSw\&_s0uBȍh32džzQflcd^m|7GѹE!fO5]]H9݇ZomT@]?5B:Z߂'`V_+/MSKX߆ޠk3?o7y:4R/7þ] iG߬aBRU&?r&/} cQߥGj2?C5Yśe7hU=?+ x龳f-܈czW^7p%5|Y:SJE\U-(a_cƣUǽXXKiȞNlmۊڭڄR!**ܤMeȽ$|X5(Ź\rJ~ܮ]>'HB0cp XFr_c?f?7<ukSgov¥iG>>䙗i.+t+bOjIܶ . i^:nm}s}(3>NZ$2Qg([".>i.ƾ)B̋M8+"- >eE6DݥJnJˣt׻ 5.˅nJGwZD~!i۶a,Db3ZQ3O#KO5/֍ozuK'GbRi᝘NV_ҝcvם ZoX}F6z 7e5_e:ۓj=AB+iܔERadMBq*ԯ DwI/Gy*mĥiRKg6skY/#SN4e$-yXM YL?^ĸNNӪ{$r1JJRSLO]Aqm>V/s[~i/j+m>z}eI"Qvp]{ZԼ:{vPAG2=T͡@ڐ#u"E*>C;o$~C#_d/HBq^YRٽzIKbOm\~żjFFGdiQ(*/i*#.FF]©m=BmpQQQSP&Ҫ!T&^>:y)$ˑÐFčI Bӡ-t!bM WҦŶ'UZ=}zvn~oT/\ǒ'nr8 AJIӆz<^uߖ4eFC1i+v!3qNyߕni?4JZlmYFXFۼO0B\m[ tʄU3s"Sr(NJ;SKW72L4̏BVdf^Ҹj\]ȱ۪(ӷm?J-KEmWڽ^4<8qu%9pŹW~877ܾeVгS(յe^C]yX͹! םm4FGȋ\y'Z FX7e)|Gjt߹#gb\ŧq_([R8[qU$Z (ʻezV2V!iQ,i$JE˂٩ a(GK'O{vnBvryRd-RK4=qxZJMl_CuuIz @Rt㮽޳!|68\-l[џ84-2Pu" RJ_^OL>G1~XnBŬw6J0*Uvlږ1N G1q9IUm*'oWu][&UyYZbBZRZNfEJf"+2nF~Eû7n1xv.RUM$6 lAxSQJ&n5ܞwlEói"#>4׿Q.nEq7Oko[1wg8ZQwZYiqtm&~">Bo?w͡ni2峋NCEy Ҕ+%ZJ ʩq*fpˤl,~^Mχk1+:ݕ z&Y`KLӪУDr3[*Z :(SL&ݻ۬Vqsyԭs x|iI߽zZrg.:mp%6ԜvgmpIUt;QbS.Է) ǨKSV,*lڌ|5Jt3#NP.=+OZ~/G سIgbꥹJnl_DUM\iM!֔wVZuԺ,yV.Q>f v:݇WiaŸN5Ҕ[M7SsrvǣrMW= \8ZW-jsnڕ.ZnF2qt ً[ٻޘY۷Zm"Jxr&NAfA-݌to9s359݆mZ+N1-qS$D=17 x׵+%_ ve4ir6Z$FDڗnFtOr'7'{9C˨ꤡaYoace{Refnft RR"4%ʌm:Sj3)OdInTO>X'vxV#jܮw9Fog;5.~Y5\~18YQܹvj4+~t7S ﬕs %^۵ڴDZV69R^Y+rj$ԇoJKR5wB9C>Y:l+EǎS{ʲ{T6Wi* ^^9k/y/Cs\g*qڵgn4T8mERr|Ti+iPe;;.i\EBEJ 丬i9ɧM-ԼsGDrZ>r#R>~X9y4b棇9JwV۔%m(b[Tjvl}۩~nDԺ{Zo-YuK1vx.nWuO+jN [ٮ0%"΢CdTJK-RަH"$I(*ve &҉FzB,_Vpqp9m8werv')E;o&QE׵^d9˦j\_,ڵugZȻ̧8k+jK{wmr@3ӭ2 wFkzFVqs1؛.v'I%$[iT]D5Dl2 nk7qUxԫLS+sا3/ΖeZYK<["%-g/kRs:f3;*E ت wJ%)5&+&rw*霣i|sMҴ|;R+fm䡩.!**dӶ-6s6,]zAXMWjmnz%SJߴm2UXw7MQ%<!tKys#P,W>s;3IYwx<+i_\\\U6 u7P|xbn_k&ӓVOe䦒 VUr,-㘘"-LZeOSҠթrEvq8Kf%5%&K"#%vD/.ZYYŏ+p$nZkvއuW9㓱Z G wYIFyf)?ƎUm5ԉ/'k84{KO:rQI}XRuԪ|*lu)3qZ[mSm5R3".Xcَ5c®ࢫI*۳~wRϿQWޝ(EJrri&ۥ^ʶ齲Im|[yb;mnm֩uiܘq>E+Ikx߄3r33-5𹻖09ϖ9[Tz~mr5NsWl$oPusޛ^{Z;);sڹf\3oٹZmԉ/'k84{NO:rQIBø8Bݱ3n֤DiK4u& ofSȒܩx<˘|N0Fչ]qsp"}! QWw@t4ӭ+cO5%]'*{eM߲DRO1y*q8w++e!c߶ܪlZWّM欼 CQ̼빶lX{vib/V/ ai;x6~]+z]MWB>re-:lgk}պ!#9?%܋V-c[z!W?c7YNm/jRr[HOzԻefճ0q15Zp#rkQQ0tU-AmڵP/cȕ?0cZYj;:0ZM=D6g ?'UN+ձ[K ܖB2'xq9{|۫N0ku 7xaj;n\ 2[VznMlWiKbSk))f..)Km)&bGZ=>OR܍W:j'rM'wYz&/鶧{Sʵb"vջq[I-ՌZH._x*BagC'T(Q:$ͳQcMCKy?3g'ߝqnT);qs #ؤZ}OOI:cfnc8W~qy.;^pVl]Hԓ>^H^@7-AA܃nmL(uWܻS߿ Td95Bdh4t6*dDh!EhI[iŨ\L.&Nc ܮf^;$R)\rip9I|ٺ?#R.ZDZ;/]nݻqs\QE9M&Bd ]N mN*D>tgbK>+ˏ.!23]BȔR1ɝ^j'k2ƮqBQq[$di]icV/e`޵B.FIIJqbi>Ӥ|p; 6${)RU>_e}^dzdfzi %ekRVUS?6'hׂ)5.\+qUgzE2C˷ecŏ^֔ibk shesFWJ#~> Wk~ݨ}ڶ>ơǚ)׽ZƉo~B-ڼrvoE:Ʃ3ۣK7+Y`WirS):{>ڛ}:wԨ(J_";6R%[u&ƫdZ_\'np| RJwNeTW,=rrbnkڄ[M3ܴz)3- R.?:okۼ0TU'w{6&w7j1z3ON'fGoO?)S_bQ_¿R(^ԴԴG.EtMڇ&RUiW uQjU> Kiu1d<ѥIQ'RQ1:O/lŗᏩiʂv&Jc{D5 Tt)1.n[n۶X}RjqnOʽ(~[Ns{ސ⛌uO,kgo֢dRNQȄ .'6W!׌P朼tdZjFGE"]K@'i۪N;sI[{SOzk>`rRR+!σj8&TjlvA̷Q?HyjyLHNտJMjܶT۽lG?SnKN%<‘ nq[N0Sq[Ta(&t(|HGO~gvkݻTR4&Z$#ViOY1r$6YF?e4U/Mvxų:zbU^gQQ+NW_'4jfz^c'#`rvrڡ(IJ/J ݦ6 ]-CW |_{v*_q3^DZ}Ic6Uڌ8p7{crZq5ki`)mU6|-Z5^iEz3P=:Cu7DF'k%}<C-޹ֲ̱#\,(f88%X-N(ck0VLR~} G"-8ӏ/ϰKq?(#nrVTmZ;zióM4 m |UT'C^_1X.gXM{%ʤd 4\ovN":"y-,T)fLQgۢr=/CƹǨJVr[a+!rT|%Y\ٱzsS>jͱ.oOc6f$q% ǒGo;n[];ߎjrk{~\VۓNIGn:iqxo |~t5)Rxעri{Vi&NUOl_ѮMfsޕkЄay.0P{7N((BaIP$ K"U6Gl ݙqJRu+qN$ m#*p<|{:>-Ev=86N*MM긭U*uѾ?/^o7;'u,h4݌xښRM:5.(/ \իU.{F^rmF-Jɷ.>Q"[4xT^OZ~mK}T0ݛ^SAo9u?lX(' qj%=X}"^e4wˠ|rܫ 6I\Ķ;Ӻw!'ڍWg{ i U_9Avhۣƾ+:vs/MK[ɭīe{`Zgb}r[i'GE2J7Nez579wRq+Un ]J.cJ4M:h箽Wxxm^ pc\wcN%'My $$| :$Fqɏ¾^қP9J6Wxvu}ݵP>Z'FFdg"-; [¢cmWkÎT8nG%ݣ7*\խCLRYZͤiD&J#'ehbSyXK|y*ӞpS̍R`[pTr/Eg)K+92{_ n3zwz'oŸۤ+sOj J:`T>Cf*lwd\fYOP"R E֢̔L4ɥ :;.b(B02rJ蠟9>V'9M%)IqnhP<%,r'P/vNSwr#w"ݨaqc(|{kd=^0jTMR2ULNz|.<|^PfY22##!,K~E BEJۜ&jRNsHަޛg\r,v؜.jK3)[EJ2ii{KEiHP^&]Gn8x=K}Wx/KI9-ϵwQ%spܾ[^R}S3$qvq8M[ ozKxcqmJ/ӿ{_}7&ݨ\f6ZSyQz& 7ۉ[8~UNn|nkiTB+4RI8'Nc%tn{!]Ȋo.nEmʱn𵵥J A+wy#+ikǒڂ;՛s85'KmE:Ђu""Iģ5p=БbTY-ͽڔ詻ngL2Q}$de# fs^o{DUUsfwӶ;s1T,ǤtޒQ\෼J=.tKU,7čJ5 N$y3kdSMQU~mO[03 $zAڟsF5^뜞"Կ QHmrR"ӳηer+ҔZ]hE-6Jmt'ޒ=O[sQj)6K}?e4v_KfZheޓ=BV[bY}lݒTTЬ{ȫvO_qpRApVŗ 6ju=*BR)g "O1yhb=tqJ gtm\b3RY+JQ^Ō֍\յ\>+uSi{=x ^w;uӘ#ĸzLn*$anok߷CBӷ}5Yqvdž<( "_OWit5:EZj2 B ρ1̊fi[n!HQF82q1牙nqnEpT(2RMoM4ϳOu ':֧_Xjsg jP^(ڙ{2%E͖j^}ZU[Q$'U) <܂%!s"m R'G5M0<+zM6qYm$ڕ$3ǧH]?o2N<8F1̻r_my[Rf59NjpzBnl7*{.QP 3N&^BLJPjAHCK2Q}$#~YMq8 k(MFMU)8MEqTy+Tʞ-ar5yܕOXw!e;q-Jqܶ䓊Y:LC UE{/t>r"lI9)3KJjϤA 6SEE$d߇3KG*En|P\ԭTn6I-ƍKTj<1H_zwGr19wF N8ݝ+a9ɫM6mhePi%mmD! """"""*1bRKrD"vnrM۫mmĽm]ӡiG~e"˩ lhRTMk^MX["Jݱk7_ޕ*DqĒ&flՒ}`W}~SմZ{ĕ~wm*/{{ѹ_-0ط#P]xlڱ~Tn5wi*lڪ (JxioϏbqKYR|!|KN53 OS222$jzww%i}>N)E+rۥ7c$Ofl/LNث\6H9: FY󡈾I)fB֔JI_ ֣^: 9mY{66㒢7Uj]:.-os[R&gMF3˸#໹kmjq^8W"PΦURjʄWa˧T!͋ lW48JB2ko+ /Nw QwQzQ ے%$ޓ7^YL|r7!v%Trܥ &|M8~ybrn[RV gSn{{*#2#ԽᢏӴHak" ӌcwҜw&RJ07ױ>Ļ =^ BɆ)v32.M1=#6%̠tҤnzqMwԣ~s*%-j|_m*.Yx9Sz=)qE4 3pk+,`=kNRڥ=B=nŔNAx)Q$ԩȧ4z3t#Z2lҮYn$S%y- JzGpu|LBV7ZW#;Wwipܷ%(6jFG5#{$D"uۭ~]֫SrD܃fҎӾ+Tu>-ZTQ& N|$沸ii>eRWݳu'[O̻j8JۻEѩ[]vni= ڒ,[_%kC7I3Nv$4ɎЈeٸoUu:[}Do5|zNq=Tre%ɧ6&~DȍF]ƞG5q m]/w/ \ʲr8=oʔe9U(W"|S]uZd#?Se[W"ֿh][-7Nu:T=)R}.;ml*5Dlf $fF(̏T hiIUU4Szɕ t(%_|2 ~6eM;TƗK[f&]LK^CE2[ȏBOd;Mi|cx,^6;sیGpQ\NuJIFTJ~đArh* B"$H쉩eXPRj?sl"ԥ)su]xpԴY%VESH"ЋJǰ K&5^Ukzׄ8kEgS2h&Se\ Yl]WҶp-ZUvi7QS:4byqOo+[̺腋[6-_Fo.6[7$p&^ _GZԸߍkc.qqoI[9m߸YxOZЦ1uoiSH)P9Uʄjcq= S>֙NeR><;+ڌk%_qT].srNO?s[=vH[]RZHRMtᩗVؾ:/~u)ԍdg%=edVrISb{6vSu=(ܥ)mTv/J}̇8 S3ad:^hBSf؉OɔLhI_1d8,L><_A0y3rXq"'(۱;mFNII.v5_(^q~X>y{3צ I*Vܛv/jW' T'NR'j%ꔩ:mJ3SB}΋!-H-RJBТQoedi9tjENenPpke.%4]#{:>mkEɱdYWl\\\'nRM4&U>?Ќˉk÷!𴪛]]5}UqG~ݏI"O~s6(Ļ)qO~h}uԕd}Q~G,oE!&G&/]_H-O=o{k\̭bkv.Ô܈+;arZx)m?M\3lU$mk-CFXjTv6u' g:Vn_*qk:VC A%'4JV%EY)#BғO4<e׿jQQ]yUr4=wm[K1r׵%Iũ-O}|kC;/VcݩWZ)EHdžTru]8hgĵ-;=>U_ InvTm_jBM+QiF"9*{DI/iuo(=TzϖmPQl_v4z>T*ȴ>YF;ε\t]EH4ꌇ[VrLzef 2T^V>g2~kg5~Nק;{~Z~W}&ŒBӿS2$J?~(Yœ"˲ߩ\O]: J׉ښT{mmIѩn3˧)4LdFZ/zUG>U> n 5& ϴ-KJi2o]uKljvK3$bԔҚV旧iY5.ίfi96v7!v))FJM4{jG~Jt/lUE%pTAFe4qQk\ve۽/u/Im+W')v{\-E|Pms7߮DZRr۞/mu*1ՙaB܆ -xg3#6ۥtRogʌU)׎]ZҞNnŞr}F1Nnޞ;cZ{N}ۿMiuxʉ*3qi'9KHQ$WJxXyرŔe~[v5~/jN9Q4o6rJv FrdxM*iRjMzUinHdн7ᾞS=S'7 } ̽zt7K|_g J=Lq+/Bw_\ۧx\HJUPzQ<hqF[V0x==CsU7q|^ {)Iq38$_A(VgcKu06Ƅ"%i~_ˉk QCܣB8Ku/񋇵u([w}$F|8TՠI.E !;RJ^}MɒD_q2];Ɖ{5}*n7nEInO{Mwv}&q+v [V}Ĝ@%>#dXQ$f;iep.GquixVt x6bj͵mlKقQ[T]zs/&yەnM'W}!Fp_d^Tu N{ɻ'l{խ2.sTu{W^H&;1s)Pӛ6>$mě;Łnj= fLT)>׸+qReɴ[UR\L*P/!$Ӊ3Q 'K=m~6XqW3^W+ųO_[F$rR*u"T%@O +%# ]˽!aܽz{ͷvQh쩎]hGތ5ɇ*DzJDRNLi 4:{~2FmXY-zzĽ^f=]uū{/+&c:Ma{ĝDp2m܍kHș/(--m_vݮK(V{R}.k&yƴ7i^4@3f sK3^Ř˸B=]?gt5KbZB<e;kQLpxuWC}n 5ҴepB##~q= `x]KWF {GfŲ}?G.I9pjWkU]>={7q{kO/^I3==f1ɏ%nnʫ/Zu_yXN<57ۍ'vy/"8넭M2eԷ&Y,в33%IkjMr7xf nmQkX4踼>a-GcIeތw&U=-:qnW)z¥j :WqSZvԒ#j"KrIU)%qrmRoDGQ~SYRsu*V)  ,/x)MFD6O#]z 96[Ui(JRfw'y$GeUީkdMF-ݻ98F2d[o{Rn0n-xsV6Dh|Eb2E:KCOӪv4SJCr"J!!m,hRLD| ZYFm/X~ΧfrN&4Ƒ=Z9Mh.Mܵw/BdrܥniŪ8ɧ|y%œ[M=_tj?F!z5\evM:\ ~F-sg钬OWq“iiȍ<Gi%%n2rqͻllƑ)okw7}\Uk-:&fj솘XerV9yZuʼşdFC=rmo%~ZN78X(N)_7.Εn1MpJ}62jjJdI";R5&iLԸc:jmqiQj$ujp\{;v5B񥍪Xn Ą4qOERjzN(Ga٠䌡)p*v(J7#ZۻZ8O W uONb+^Qipv9GvֽƼϯrYƖKGJQDNPhRJjᡧC"21"9ѓS1;R_O7/WGz)8fE%F2ukmvSov/iZ&/]~KmI[:^~ͤ\kMi稜\ywJt3W7 8Ʒ~ݥeFgѼw"8VVSج\뻆}ݭ/J6Q)d|)zU3>k\L=;ow֯gN3pKѫ|wmkZ$z^2R:E)f>ς нd|#׆?\ǔpV{;\$ƵE%-ͪm0S6[n< kE[}mvE4DDZ^$OZ0*$~XUv҅B@^?]so#%ojw;Y#SxxueBگy v^i-)s)zV jC{7Gt.w3v,ygg8s]aE_,*E tY5k٨h=o"m泏:\6w噓aiL׎n^c\75AGkЯ0Lf46َ`egZ˓p/k;̛]kq!ݸzpԭG"}R9Ve>ˏHUjJ-&7nrnwG*Xv\˱/vN}O)ʼn&CV͍f̵]r\PMB-6Du-#RͰtRN^)mT _}nSȕC*_xBuTkJW[`ɩ`ejvsngP ڻ.-WUtܑqԹQj)t;vN&RNũT+8%IXӃ5fK՛-d9 ]CƑm|nZ-6=Hz,*aEm W3VzRšdY~Xf׀Xx"]s;)5u*ُHB BRGS6bݶؿ 9j[1*jױga7oX CUI%0v#~\-O-Ꙛuɷ쏪&5mY٦M`LJ2qK~HZbr =N'YobI. (^ ׾{_ ?OJ`S`3BN[}5w6:ǵ/iSlt=4F*d&T4y/#. ɵim5Uֲf 眕6Y7 fơ=3dϕq뚩$qTM-%r!$@A? ޾V0c~{[{;򥧅a~ڵ»&ڄv1ek=wb MLkNAԬw-x>~/r=e73VeVN)K%Sښe"+3uXuچrn ֺVzscJ峻m}vb㶓n\YbIUBT%*,0nov=;z꣓S/nSXSpl##k9mXGrZv^Gde!ŷRԠzQyjC]`gToPov{j~KRBMY}i[߶9KL2ԉO0K#m>wB[ٍ+n[[b٦DX ݲpo] [\m5qdT()mo4Oy9Ie b][wղmM~vmi۱~t \}$яimRk(L c Cvk7r9_r1 ;zv|F@KyZ[&jEji/"6$69ml#e]9s\{ScL}Ȣؿ0q/nZ*t,CLoD߉Njǚy=Pgmu6^]l-["çUʖMlʍp-"qmU>۷uFOJ%Ǔkx 'g=睋k[3u,{³WɘݪF]ՍeFX"Oy\,cچ=w/gn Ļ]#2? vqy-gXnR.^}ݺFs{ŝG]}e|#0mjx"ƬWكm?rgU^xVB":Dt>@LRbun~ݭ,w+v⪕;\U(RYa61>#Jm˞Μ9g9XKaG='u8gf}'qy#ɉw J]We.ʲ-<+&q%s?2dњztҼn`cΤmmqMdz O[-ߩӲ&;[tmܝVnr">{x<8U+p:Ig]zjGkt,uzf}dؠoJaکqEq -(:d<պ=eKy[˗^%ZXkX[C2߱\ITTLGzANM￵i]K>UsOGDDD.ZF6* ҃V Zhz{'xp^`wo8r0h ZmJ5"jb[l=yUu7-;7IT%:jFjߖm0tzU'K)څNۧYJ)4IQ}^KWm7kSP>q;ނ#)'n7&׊r?óM{IwR\j2Qn[v pe#/tAF\ϵ225q֒om6z})6҅*oqDsMf CNIN=T S2t,_ѧ}kveMF0J\Rnnݙܹy[rUc-j{yGtkQ%s]5qB.Nw.JN1LvR Ui5J ZESQԙr):MJ+g}χ!2;q([jAud][ljVK3$ײSJI=/|&tl'*n۽f.frܥ jQO8>&Z];.|7T/C}$ڋUmP2Reҭ8hFF\L 3~e v\۫]ݝNmrnB%*]Z«hKc=BTLG :V74$=Ǘy+EX'4tn(I:Ѝ;Df8c,k1%dJ6.j6ź{N~l6&*fœI7 WAlGOu-ҢH,,(ǔe뿋쩨kM܍ZſgRvQ' 9)?n|er˭|I|-fGK.rΛp8XV1%K6mvG+tc+qE&ǸC_Nm:l=_/m5^[dߌڇ.c<%:)tQ$Ow~-aY;UJ>=F)2[nk؆?훐M=l6[4(O.]2#-H^n#->&mp5~Fӛ+|| S,xag%qkEUzUgæBhߕP(7]kFnq?֖CpruZ6*rEڊtS|*tI*E}7R<,nUU֫^I7Q*mSly%rdȓd8hE<9oHhMfNSRj[i7D[Rj݊+kდq{"$$H?p\̅S?㭻;t~R߁)^/>Qj`yt[w ԛ;²~+ߔ_ YW~|o]?x^ᯛ `ʼn;g)T@vWn]>&4lp+$D̢1l|ȨF%-}.9[}w~ ԠLM9hСablfe&QoW!s?wjLK?s7yO>(=C~_nyǜu?v3vyo oI@qV-jeES^[9WoSܝh"l2C1a͔CiJ@3:Pճw=/7ovuk+\V;lDgն<[A+rX~d;m!_s8ݖ׷;;.0llUC+?i#_crʙ1~C.\–q ul8Hܶ2m`ܻM3Tov|Bs rɵ"oLS- DКw=Tv@f'6|YlD͓Y%׵-#Ѯo%:&!3o%\J<02;K87>^vgƓ# ;ݝmz^Y6=PS39U%~ &f# }o!muH;ʲŇ˷yvP+&.7e[3'vR4Yj̗IZ`e˽3o[WU{ m[sUbۋZǾۆl6~9'V*.\S2<Sd*zY[aŶ`]C$n.v^Ʌ dng>ەZ,Mmϑ :n6nϦezWqUJ4! ۇ4R! =>>Fn|Q[{pRO17ƕ~._I''00k=b՛o}Osðc2'o\3}ݭQ^2 . R1yKȣtAݿ-uܾw!`?1Whn|gzUo[ECWwjUIן)^h#1ɭ!/Z np;o;ΗŻkXs."6E`Z1 עӐ9Kl8qd q} 2Stt;#j>;խabONŗ=fwP1j)l6J̶|gV2`y/0E˛6+ԫ1? 6}KW c\KoKͨ2ۅFw–s*TԞLיuDx .kCzWXhy۶gLu|%TnupǺl-S* PRaLnT+c+*xl.v!.U=|; !_L̎뱚U=4hm:ٯ"y)$:>%(n}X'p[ȴ ^˒4kƓmzDx \ 'NqamP7nyN݅=j7%McSڵj%STy qXymvCg{w/w=wSW5r̹u erծˊsOm=DhEҚRb#n)QOxtվQwe]I}wCa'"[ۂ-z}2UuKP$㜉ԧ:mc<Ý>RoL?wu|%ҷ&K y_!y9 ??:tq3(UU-lkS'ɸ@jdzQˬR] EVPW1DJq2n:,c|ǻ̑;y{X,ۂ.u.b˕u.tKBjQ"[S園S`ٮdNبeJ&9Ơ ~0a(Vm٘L+Jr*vڑE( x0+tp˕ n';wm-ޜMOxX>{#2%jgb2M[`K*\5@8l'e=0u+w ֘鳾{y܀:R*Ya]"Ӧ%ktynlۣ65,3gU}{GYrb;ge'TKwǘ.,rpܚV]Tr,!dp /ԺU,xՉ>s׽~W5oTh yx?xrrx?)?ilbT׬,z$Ԏ.UH٠\U1pU:]JwSrGZq8àd驐,N67QYBӢD㏙W!Q25ϸo9ms-7-%3CihO.J鯽-;MZM8ku-7k9S$8]q2E(}bۏI[DKOK}3KUB^u %Y,u.-&f#]'܆o$x`Yu,dzwM;#oKxn;\[d7}Rb+*Y䛂ZuBӱl{j0O̓}LhK;[aֶaGL{Cb#S.T[>߃F]NK"u^LUʐ_ykW?!GRj29͖qa'0[npcDvV)qz9R)PۨM^aJx W] r>];eN3vxdmĘ(5W2K1䪖weF{mE/QP6\u54x5[hۮ-Nk”i[lUgL]J}5 S:EhiUrgHl!ŒJ$pe=q^b͵Q' ?6|R\,JA ڵ"TDꈭ:ymg`B5t%M] <N_zv2_Ortٵ/i/ReӮ*7[qүqEG* m"[I:6e^p"I$jԴęh!m)]GZkcjS!{e^z}+Cѥ9;R|/ֱeiUԏCNu2Zhcٗg$ݭwvr P8*7/Lk~I'Km1+MW%Bk|oOm>-#qj*|Dbѱkn|n{v#jĮqNpMIUm(7Liz;{ҜݞڝVƚVϬ+sO!OstGvxӉ']uӎ4g_ 1^-8ۦ k!)Ύ5O;YSB#2Zzχ;<.ֵOtge~.(RC#wFZeGZٸ6FFJ4e2ˇpJT$[wgV)q6muDGJ56q\I!̗ y/I~RtJ9kJ]Iy*'FN0s.[l!fw'y(7$œ WƫgyΙdMEU JQJv̋vmrۖ.jWR_M֨djYgSj0^\y'EoECjm$ IƩK>Z28J2TiJ2N#}.s cArl嫶nB.FIJ.)۔\ZiM>/hLĸ=C1s[?YMqp|94- 鮝𦔽/k^#NT(Y LS$6˩}{;5 )B۷W$qpN)qqoot}ZDVә;7TiK|6f3h$dԄ}fqݡ>Nb򗉉+ͶO]>ߡ_VtYf79ڰիF sq~prս|QM)g%l0ocJȨHz V;Bb/kLAcfPJ,ԭ{ƍgpjNR6VSI*$!yV足jᇑ.](EܣqM\qJ2eZT).<9UB/(B0j)mtKEj#׿fDI-=rZړj|'Nڤ]k*i$5qt"ݙPM6E4ke^Z8ۏhz$Q(R Ay2zfRñnpnkbkI:=j &ΝșW?׵d{+ύM'??XqeeĽ.[o=UxFS=ӷdZwenՄ]_X=ĭVa* pKs0ބۍfJ3 gz̚i|wnxtjc¼5${(1fXQ65ȼb̶Zkn>%FQMJXӡ{TZEVNᖣimT/37cNJUPnP҂ZOE~"-Rc4^b- FEͧtf5[)S!OZIښݲ͑;tvܡ+N)AR=hCNn;wL16-:特7M$=Tҕ-.R[HٷnXk sn[ҞD-0WS9p9:-Ϸ-jѬNu{ҹfv)[Ľvwfg(ٷfe+0mYj8Q1\ݧg]Eǎvڿc!4#j5̋C2"}BRriFp7=ô\TZ:\BLfj#I22װ<;صZl j 6:l"6]۸ K'6RTѯ^ئOԓV\?$x7s#r:Oh{ց=MmuHԷd{pN /܅:UE#Yy+(SgQ(Щ)RHzw>^Ѿݻ>mK&^ '$Jۻ&w%F|xfz%˳ L~3N?Cy9 v w/{ƿ kz3x> sXv}vP"@WyC z`'톽Dw%-tt yVY\wmuPYQA0iG-2JP,6/gˢ]u.-n!Zw.N7Q]Df}Q0({a\@=i_X7gFǘ8^⻲}G MZ1)WEfO12G+=-B@z\`||w6ċj߬m}UwRox֢I &c~XGP6Qndpvܻul'V7^FJt^{b^B(L~sѣ6@߿^xqU!ڙ5|Vpvef-uӥ^3  FSDɯKD%0r}FF穛r7 +o"V8tv̖NQU!5uFd"bCr^bJ=֤fM#ʳԷP0O-9xRBm\=`r-:;~3Tl(nXtXi%2Vٛ#vwqƴ`L@"H‹qW.j,JM5B[)WܺUeZFqc'V˷1W7V̾-MHФwn8N;HPSdݷC7&2j.W\τGŎ'Vb]c.x+Rx1%C2T{myg[qU|+m:M:շ8҉yWd)ՋWS%%:iqlʹmGwݹ WnNŤѩ5(9hTٵDdGUi-)vSs2 2{OnT$Xck n:¶(lASLeȔBjμPpTb2~N2~%^k[ܗ[Jzs0ӓHBKq[}JَA-$dFQgjxxFv4r/x*Rm% `4J(&iv7SkԲmSH1YWmx 8n.k']:Z˭_W >ڃXЩ. jTq%Aā[E}amc]D:rmHRiu:uӚӢ\p(5-q%e)(۬ҖȽIf<߽pr&ݫVfY91q2ĭEQgYbTGQ&,yL+N$[q*RVۉQ=FuTܻ>f>f㋳8N6$܌n)9&»iˤsX,݅܍ȩv+sRTpO}d?Wn/Inpȸ%O]StQO|v5\}7Zwb.AIVK^:wb{[uݯcytO߶S<{8KSRׁH̏N7ۚ[xkwYy_'ZӵF+>쌛ZUĦreE9F[24De{}@:ExWs-\ǻ7K-\JNvEk%:s˙#κ].oͳ;լ7wB6nwu:$L; DkI#Wz.:Xp(˅v$Sq,wn\qIN-e<5Oe+vuYTpcojUI_ާP8 O 7&VL8z$_B-H-[uh]T{|8=qVRN-:Ij:7PUtXϷmy鉿:RIM~33ӸS2#׳GdŲ5+/Bx{(WzȨ5Y㞎#|˖+ ط.|e<o/rߔX>7s}VE.OVti׽ .5nNJO"95{#q}Ay9do]R"M6z\tnNS-D!@3N_jicWsy*5uٮRcWv/.,j}=S)j5C^> Ie =gu9ӛqjtz]۪TMoߧI!Ǧ¶m:,"[L!{qAv-o 3{"KʼnrIkfٶj2ƙ؄S`7` k6jzޞ?e5G&6uʷ2%ԒRKE*G\Npom F/V |C0.q_eenƣ<5Oh'67ɪn[SĽ{ڔjǘzs;~׌(ۂ`ܢ1ƣ` _l9Va6%UQWh~P~\F^ZHR@:ۧCJ{ôGeBh;~ۧnU J\O+n2 RҠ)ng}Kh{5+S×ܛ.1ZjG)iRȤIN 4%{oΜ/eO[Nffd ĹK?nnԼMqX'܌nZvq<ķbFnͪaQ`5 s,M_լ?-@_{w{ӺձJ}GF[%v\5[ŒGkOw/ΜM9rjË%2+rd~+󲕛C9U۳r[aJǭm|˒LAʨSCq[XMۺoubfp:t+ΤĻo ][ zt-*67kvS7D·MMCQXm;)܎n_h%]4ܙnRk!]ڵsDUF"`R, &#R_*[z*ZqFXɻ]7|۵w+'pFDەs=r./ᐚm3Hשy yD"jHCr':sA65نѮ^o1V/ f;nFr3VM)e*- s D'H݅fӧ\*޷[k<7u<-]֍Q8R h|p=WlW3s%Q %3l}@U-K6f-NϿu|ڴmWN׮[׸F*mW\%r! C78:޳vBG7ŵ.JթԚ2x)ST!řn~9 W:Wpܢ件{xf8ٳwKE ҰWxVB\qBZ 2wMb[lGSnyԚ~z9ZmያvoN2Afnݽjf>)j3 !;gOYʹK" Wftڎ+׭b*2ϻK>ۢӱeyԪXISUm[z+ugX%0lϏnvg!;t{BqPj>PyvR7Cj]O%+ݲ :qiMj6W}3vC/R=4Som]ŗ=ю, TF6U_-\6MyskwMr&Q\wjKܩyMϣUj0*}RZܷSdY3>Zjqj6TgzpA/M`/Cmл,޻feE[/+uk^Vs1W$G(JsW2ٰu*߻q*Y޵.Wi:ur5T),=0uRmho.twܖiYwrWHntvEj8qhf`Ͻpf(R&>Ki%I7$QӖm-2 ~yߗQ-앑/ x[k8nw.c㩵k}]FkbJl:{.(˩n0Hqvαp7 귎.Gupx[N`Yq'+ruU7[ү+>!xrȫoSo]OC# d^Q]\>!ƛGw^Mx"-+%vdX-:M2UR%d>%l ioSu6lsj7D P>XxHz Ukà(n^Q V>5cVtWj SEiJdznyej[lE' 3kuٌNn4JW)gB {4 j6&]' m-(ZMEz8cz>WZ6#7+[,MR-Z!4ܓtCyE|umj1ƽvƷV\;%>Q :#Le(iVz5 4ũۤUWxX ^(ҔsլB2w-V ^R+; ˂M\z+Uwr+RWY⺧~ Q*JcYSNSλUd8in=v K낫k\IRרSUaCFmϿ5̗P|u ZTԕ}>oYѲ1sfP+sQkX8Gb~6r,s>^\,mGL+7[n-E\.Fqḕcl*Jmjb5 ,m]c}NXfeVlǸJ5eˡ$4%g~N p4Y*WwW٧<8v#;qԩTut,m"#Y D\5V`\\Lȋ];LȇiS6ϝZ l>LruR\v=ǘϔDg=ԈdFZ+M{=|,[;0>RiSi4,S5}yxw&(E7&fݙ4UՕ! ~'Id)]ǽu2K-fޭ \08Vڅ쓬=Vy^^ IhyKR-B#Ըr=]mܻӾ'*Umkoy rTqT_i,/8Q^<ݤ|4ԻO(܄"'5N~#m.(Ҿ2i6Uev&I*<}҄$eNtÛzyWJubW^iBW.܅Wڮg]irO6Ve90sgv.+sV޿aޔ[p?3q*FutUo*eL\KM'EG*ZcAFfG5J 5jj=MJ3OK:k˝'NMB7m3uFҕ\-Ywg%PRqMIyZGY9|μvn߻5cWݷa^+X֥vnݘ\v7m>Fgzv"-;Ew֝}1|RjN𿊀7g#֟*GQQ|#/bo]p$>_Un9гUbn9׃ErQBU-^vDmVh'<R[fdHT]*~}3j;nvjc7s-rӳ Y8[n[1pJx kX[Jk9Mn!_Nю6x:iZ˦U |߉^Ԛ݃hYxk &U^bwKk.[jE+P(˞=9j@snCv7%c_7=xǁ<l {t'酚+1F‹l׭:ݻILruǶkL-L(K0L1&>wXB(pm;1fpnlp֓%Skidkt(U +xulo'/ڕeN r=^pZZ:Pnj8Hf"48ijY[ N[yZٻ+=  ø:3 ?^ܷ^Sr#YK[UF?CuhC b]GM')mڏsNrܗI]ljq6VB. W,UK"YX5{c >Iqā> T:n!,5l2VzCl|+I[*SrjnS6٨y+x,@>П.g+!rn9>N|W>OZT_ut Y""v7|sfި;Pclm EùN,{'fNT%U&LfH8~1v>Il}统u6P˗c(WV~H^bMU.o*oOF0N:_:6Smr_.b+|ݶYY غF,mwjv>f*>QM뭱Sd:`N{l/⎱;n-z~"Gze퇎J5S KG9!Gn;N1 ݎ h6m|S?ɂ5'WOÞ 7|7^ao @mxGmi^jϽ>01Mf0լD3-2T. VXR"ɥV Kl J O7|u?bvа;6.eߓ|[1bmRr,eRz`z 6܎-ͨku͹Fː dPhYgZUj}nvX;z=gVեTv_J }\1n7w2J?ޘγc\E 1Aޑzq;\r]]\Y&[nsNei\uURje*Qk2CSl*xJz-xٶlm+|UjUؓ`Ladqiĩ!Gd\W~fz;Tn*PdRM&T4`չSWq5k훶(N"Ӎ% V]֦wb.nUO!u*J&Oӕ2e|Z=eV쫚΅g#+/RW:طnbi*Wyo)p{:ETKؚR(RY+r웓r(IF) VmȵNB:h Q1ғ|u8E]{,'$-TR[j49l*3"I鯴zhd>Q+\BkNF=.$ZR4Nwհ(IpNi.(Gi33#33e$FXK*NdWrud[r{xnk$v2ıh+J1TQ[#JQl[tRO]LHKٮ NӍnF񨔤֞Em'MILB"ԋ%dBŋ+p̿_17jzT~4pc Vo\ƹb9Rq-'1j;8ܗ)hE%DZKS<璸Bu*%*Yw5ڻ9ۣ^z4U; Ñk\U(o~G?VUĎ:?P?_F_Kߤ~ᓾI |pr.Ok\SklRhҪz{­P .}SktZ7UQ4ڌIM8̈eaӊJZ%FFZu,KZvln廐SNFIVtuNi?CM5]+Ph,{jN JSR$IS^tSUVrORYu.9WyP6 [Kiu m!X|]Y79ӄ)\ģ)pbڳr%*&ꑶ_-H*dzk)1 V3')UAϹٶWRxe'պn۫h7AR9 EAJeGLms!%D| A 5]/Q3eb̄vnVn%za\m kZnv([emqrIҕij|""><hjJשvvǕ|Pޟs}V~2&Z?+2N&Z4w@)4iSڪ_>/JN9Hiۏuf8'It[ȲR.hZ$ȋ_Y ~U<UUO*6b)Ovzڜj\R̋.$FsQuҊj^נ䈈y<zZIuP[}Qm=C?zN(Exqu/kn S-FzKZzOסӽjJ\)F3b!r5ٝ|;6 o=-3*λ]αb\abqRi-w޵⦪~b8Kpo)Z=>)ғ"5/GTZLE-輵f7ݘ۹~+&+w/7GFI:l33fg.N~۲\2|*cnermnnM+Fq"ѪIz%j =YW8@~gc/~?N'?)«qȸs➟n=k" X“m֮VreMh2[uݖ] *FܖN)MȐ`f0 g,C9̑o;ddudJ=In13:ݒvvdMUEJLp^,6t-@͐9'{7m{-3,>hnF;ѰM)->>+Ěz!R* :`e--m7nB\u{b U>[8֪]6^ߤLʦ\DFNo$$dͶlgno8OrsQ\l̯hRo8tuNo+ CTxu!2[>ctFpeޓƻֶR"3QrQuOѳgwQr;S~)6HhZw/GgVTmUf_yt7%$];zLWF̰xy2Ʉu!MCmš_0[W6jf#a-KLi+3Q7c^qg%s<1aYIQeZf+}>;S6L0]Yu_h9߻<ƅpmiM$AVvŚ,*#t2.8Y)-Zhshü97/#Oro"u^/uFgWɺ,p:6a,^x%$Yve^3PƗMnTP&yS}OJ '덫MH^:rXԴJۋ/rI;S*,+yz1hv)Qw^ڍJ2oL׊q(\fDj:^T%vOadɂnS}ZO)N*λdaȜkG_PIEO}нa(^iQX᯦-7^)%g'SJx(.S9zVɴZ{E ))ۅi/s7 VIV-|sj0*UBTHIqRf>FP$KqN0 R̻8j\GcC}IUz\i 6F)Q{Gҧ3qSzKj-Az VЛS-zy:8*mNk|D鿓ND2u+0Yŝ7kqm·?8Ib]u>˗^_>(]vӋzv+ݩ){vZrJ2RQ몋C$z [,pp,8mڊbR]Il .f~d/ݓs㓓mͶ{mgjQwn=Oic9ܚm4Q/6ݨ[TƧ?nԶoytf{@AzT{e{[O'ZRZt~AGD?s3􌿂ՉIw'|~U\ w~di:Kޱ)U/sU%njѩ&GSP^ǝd)..!^U` 1wX[aԇSxoFV6_扐)T 2Mfd=ۖͭiZ7KK Bi9%7@<3<ճԻU,},a}FRqɛr i@ONJvK KLN M, ʖv0n-]DwlI-X6ܶ$Jʴh5O+mOI+Ra瞠\ MG7BفjYo1#͖0V`Ѱ2M?c8>-Crt*JkIGS:e#hPKx[鱼>{5m;wcն&>j-M֥^َ) 6yȜl_w{-ō̱r> U=]iw3)r*]:K]6BdCTZ|>gf}LW}[$'Y5 &c -j.z6R 67MԷFMnÌwI7w5E}o޽+K ֵy4܌ȥW"COyR[q5Ӱ͙f[v"_#q{MV6܍3"u9BK(41ӯqˇc${ߝCi6I(OmθzҜ5k^:>Jzw.>qV8{vU[ڶEm|DžBz].KHjI]x;Mɗ{m,qZXr忇2u^RO2Z}ZێS[2Jen!*NDcrBUً4<ǼMҲs1Zw57c3&ĖڻzmP*FuJG1-dN:|OU}ҵgi2t~F^^Z.VxjvŧnNNh<:]^~NN+ge^g.SԔGFe߯'[vn'(ScJ]kܗ7eJOlRrfziݮq̋S"\*U<*W]k$FջV}? 7g#֟*GQQ|#/bo]p$>_Un9;l S VvQU%OLU{οmU6bZ1MTx%!֙Q7, J=!3 ;Q,ڌ;6ͱ݅q^&ߔ·n #WbwӖX.HtG)N&d̵zpI,n cu ޖUj+VXUp[w]N o.J6Z8Ts&utxln;~HPHS/xw`G\ʡ¿rj Z^vt"[L:SD\h0sUwR,}[x^X,R2Vn< ]2YDr[SRKs8tXb̷G?Ps Tv 3be,zVz D[/I.KOEQrm'$7|[J>r S`5յwT#\w1FTz\Ԛ &"ׅhSHrD\'r]~/>p;:Piuu:"9ő=tTaS7V2rӷk7mb[^WmPp*[y.Þ6f]cizJCgRR@UVl큝.WJP1N{/\whZ ػϧӱE7|E֫Sί.x-Y&pi%v''-x6r'Ws*6=DwwUu]=C?MK [yrtܒG$!WGqJ*%SAz ED[^)/tė/g=#Omd.|^n/sl׉g DZqemqowݮRzUܜ=ڽ-o/Iۖ;qVʘgPp|mm;6zGl9.8pwWgsJ2qPbe}}UpNjٯ}7TMQKrؽtEx%v w߾8%|j;~|}pK]ơ/ w߾8%|j;~|}pK]ơ/ w&~e_H 8PL7:%ʭ5Kw&U2vwR_+rm'}C7#rWoO&HoG?M$UR7{FU]u ;# !Wk`|W>׹潇9Vn)6)*ҹ{%qV4q>W1vi#T"Qk&GwxcJBJ- Ϸ^ˁxkU}ԣ/3.;]J=<*)cS)ROK9H=,r zX @)cS)Da^ԽQ gxJI=w֣gf*TRj

Corresponding author : Jeongeun Hyun Department of Nanobiomedical Science and BK21 PLUS NBM Global Research Center for Regenerative Medicine, Dankook University, Dandae-ro 119, Dongnam-gu, Cheonan 31116, Korea Tel: +82-41-550-3447, E-mail: j.hyun@dankook.ac.kr

Editor: Han Ah Lee, Chung-Ang University College of Medicine, Korea

• Received: May 31, 2024   • Accepted: June 6, 2024

Copyright © 2024 by The Korean Association for the Study of the Liver

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

  • 4,501 Views
  • 91 Download
  • 2 Web of Science
  • 4 Crossref
  • 2 Scopus
prev next
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is the most prevalent chronic liver disease, encompassing a spectrum of pathological conditions from simple steatosis to metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), with or without hepatic fibrosis. The global prevalence and incidence of MASLD are rising in parallel with the epidemics of obesity and metabolic syndrome [1]. If MASLD worsens, it can lead to life-threatening liver damage, including cirrhosis and liver cancer, necessitating proper clinical management in advance. The first-line treatment for MASLD is weight loss through lifestyle changes, which can reduce hepatic fat and inflammation [2]. However, not all patients succeed in losing weight, and MASLD can occur in both obese and non-obese populations. Although several medicines for metabolic syndrome, such as those for diabetes mellitus, obesity, and hyperlipidemia, have been used for MASLD treatment, these drugs have shown only partial efficacy [3]. Currently, only one medicine, Resmetirom (Rezdiffra), which obtained the US Food and Drug Administration’s approval in 2024, is available for the treatment of non-cirrhotic MASH with significant to advanced liver fibrosis. The global drug market for MASLD is actively working to develop new medications and obtain approval for a wide spectrum of MASLD, addressing significant clinical unmet needs.
Ursolic acid, discovered in apple peels in the early 1920s and found abundantly in various fruits and vegetables, is a natural pentacyclic triterpenoid with multiple beneficial effects against oxidative stress, inflammation, and tumorigenesis in various organs, including the skin, colon, breast, and liver [4]. Recent studies have shown that ursolic acid can ameliorate insulin resistance, hepatic steatosis, inflammation, and liver hypoxia, which can induce metabolic dysfunction and liver fibrosis in preclinical models [5]. However, the underlying mechanisms by which ursolic acid exerts therapeutic effects against MASLD and liver fibrosis remain to be fully elucidated.
In this issue of Clinical and Molecular Hepatology, Zheng et al. [6] consistently observed that ursolic acid alleviated increases in liver and body weights, serum and hepatic levels of triglycerides and cholesterol, blood glucose levels, MASLD activity score, and hepatic lipid accumulation in a mouse model of MASLD induced by a high-fat diet (HFD) feeding for 12 weeks, compared to untreated controls [6]. Further assessment showed significant improvements in hepatic gene expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including transforming growth factor (TGF)-β, interleukin (IL)- 1β, IL-6, IL-17A, and IL-23 after ursolic acid treatment in a dose-dependent manner. In this study, the authors investigated the immune-modulatory role of ursolic acid against the progression of MASLD by conducting a comprehensive analysis combining in vitro and in vivo studies.
To explore the key factors that play critical roles in the progression of MASLD (as an early stage of MASLD) to MASH, the authors re-analyzed two microarrays (GSE49541 and GSE89632) performed on human MASLD and MASH tissues. They built a protein-protein interaction network using the STRING database for the 106 differentially expressed genes between MASLD and MASH. Pathway enrichment analysis revealed that the extracellular matrix (ECM)-receptor interaction pathway is highly involved in the progression from MASLD to MASH. Importantly, secreted phosphoprotein 1 (SPP1), also known as osteopontin, emerged as the central player in this network. SPP1 is a glycoprotein and an important component of the ECM. It acts as a signaling mediator to regulate intercellular communications, affecting cell adhesion, migration, and inflammatory response [7]. In MASLD patients and mouse models, serum and plasma levels of SPP1 are elevated and correlate with the severity of liver fibrosis [8,9]. Previous studies have shown that whole-body knockout of SPP1 in mice fed HFD for 24 weeks significantly reduces hepatic triglycerides, lipid accumulation, and inflammation [10]. Zheng et al. further revealed that adeno-associated virus-mediated knockdown of SPP1 reduces liver weight, serum and hepatic levels of triglycerides, cholesterol, alanine/aspartate aminotransferases, and blood glucose level, and improves MASLD activity score, lipid accumulation, and inflammation in HFD-fed mice.
The dynamic equilibrium between helper T (Th) 17 and regulatory T (Treg) cells, both differentiating from naïve CD4+ T cells, is crucial for maintaining immune homeostasis [11]. Th17 cells are pro-inflammatory, while Treg cells are anti-inflammatory. Th17 cell populations increase in the livers of HFD-induced MASLD mice, inducing hepatocyte damage. IL-17, secreted by Th17 cells, influences hepatic steatosis and inflammation, which can eventually lead to MASH. The presence of Th17 cells correlates with the severity of MASLD in patients [12]. Treating primary CD4+ T cells from healthy mouse spleens with SPP1 promoted differentiation into Th17 cells in a dose-dependent manner [6], suggesting an immune-modulatory role of SPP1. Zheng et al. showed that SPP1 binds to cell surface receptors like integrin β1 (ITGB1) and CD44 on naïve CD4+ T cells, activating the downstream extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway and upregulating retinoic acid-related orphan receptor gamma t (RORγt) to induce Th17 cell differentiation and IL-17 production (Fig. 1). Notably, ursolic acid inhibited SPP1-mediated Th17 cell differentiation in a dose-dependent manner. To investigate the effect of ursolic acid on SPP1, Zheng et al. conducted a human proteome microarray and found that SPP1 is a direct protein target of ursolic acid. SPP1 levels and Th17 cell population in liver tissues were reduced in ursolic acid-treated mice with HFD-induced MASLD. These findings indicate that ursolic acid protects the liver from inflammatory damage by inhibiting Th17 cell differentiation through interrupting SPP1 binding with ITGB1 and CD44, consequently suppressing MASLD progression.
Although this study demonstrates how ursolic acid alleviates MASLD progression by modulating the Th17 cell differentiation-promoting signaling pathway (SPP1-ITGB1/ CD44-ERK), several limitations exist. First, the mechanisms by which ursolic acid operates in the liver and inhibits SPP1 remain unclear. Since ursolic acid has poor permeability, it likely acts primarily on extracellular SPP1 rather than intracellular SPP1. Zheng et al. showed that ursolic acid acts on secreted SPP1, an integral ECM component recognized by ITGB1 or CD44, by excluding interference from intracellular protein components when analyzing SPP1 content. In addition, the study indicates that ursolic acid directly binds to SPP1. However, the specific mechanism by which ursolic acid inhibits SPP1 expression needs further clarification. It remains to be determined whether ursolic acid induces SPP1 proteolysis, promotes SPP1 discharge from the liver, or inhibits SPP1 activity by capturing it, thereby disrupting the positive feedback that amplifies SPP1 production and secretion by SPP1-responsive cells.
Second, the cell type responsible for producing and secreting SPP1 in MASLD remains unclear. Previous studies have shown that SPP1 is mainly expressed by non-parenchymal cells [13] while another study claims that lipid-injured hepatocytes release SPP1 [14]. Given that previous studies on the contribution of SPP1 to MASLD using SPP1-knockout mice showed inconsistent results attributable to the cellular and tissue source of SPP1 [15], understanding which cell types release SPP1 is critical. Macrophages, in particular, play crucial roles in MASLD progression, and they are reported as a major cell type promoting liver fibrosis by releasing SPP1 during MASH [16]. Conditional knockout of myeloid-specific SPP1 was reported to worsen MASH, although SPP1 expression in macrophages was upregulated in MASLD patients and mice fed a high-fat, fructose and cholesterol diet [17], suggesting a protective role of macrophage-derived SPP1 against MASH. Intriguingly, the expression of arginase 2 (Arg2), which enhances fatty acid oxidation in hepatocytes and leads to a protective effect against MASH, is not affected by direct SPP1 treatment in macrophages. This might implicate the importance of intracellular SPP1 in mediating signaling pathways and suggest a cell type-dependent role of SPP1 in MASLD.
Third, other immune cells, not just CD4+ T cells, may respond to extracellular SPP1 via ITGB1 (or other integrins) or CD44. SPP1 promotes the migration of bone marrow-derived macrophages into damaged tissues and binds to α4 integrin and CD44 to inhibit macrophage apoptosis, thereby sustaining the inflammatory response [18]. Additionally, SPP1 can trigger the polarization of macrophages into M2 phenotype, known as tumor-associated macrophages, via CD44 on macrophages, which was demonstrated in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and in vitro experiments [19]. Further studies would enhance the understanding of the immune-modulatory effect of ursolic acid. Finally, SPP1 is well known for its pro-fibrotic effect [20], and Th17 cells contribute to liver fibrosis. Since liver fibrosis requires careful management during MASH progression, as it can lead to cirrhosis, one of the main complications of MASH, the potential anti-fibrotic effect of ursolic acid via SPP1 inhibition should be explored in liver fibrosis models with significant implications.
In summary, the findings by Zheng et al. underscore the critical role of ursolic acid in regulating SPP1 and subsequent Th17 differentiation during MASLD progression. Despite several unresolved limitations and questions, this study provides valuable insight into MASLD pathogenesis, laying the groundwork for understanding the anti-inflammatory effects of ursolic acid in MASLD livers and suggesting its application in MASLD management.

Authors’ contribution

S.J.K. and J.H. conceived and wrote the manuscript. S.J.K. drew the figure. All authors have read and approved the article.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors have no conflicts to disclose.

Figure 1.
The anti-inflammatory mechanism of ursolic acid in MASLD. In the progression of MASLD (left panel), there is an elevation in extracellular SPP1 levels, which can bind directly to surface receptors CD44 and ITGB1 on naïve CD4+ T cells. This binding triggers the phosphorylation of ERK and subsequent expression of RORγt, promoting the differentiation of pro-inflammatory Th17 cells. These Th17 cells exacerbate inflammation and lipid accumulation, accelerating MASLD progression. Conversely, ursolic acid induces regression of MASLD (right panel) by interrupting the binding of SPP1 with CD44/ITGB1. This disruption inhibits the differentiation of Th17 cells, thereby ameliorating insulin resistance, lipid accumulation, and inflammatory responses. These findings suggest that ursolic acid holds promise as a therapeutic agent for MASLD. MASLD, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease; SPP1, secreted phosphoprotein 1; ECM, extracellular matrix; ITGB1, integrin β1; ERK, extracellular signal-regulated kinase; RORγt, retinoic acid-related orphan receptor gamma t; Th17, Helper T 17.
cmh-2024-0412f1.jpg

MASLD

metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease

MASH

metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis

HFD

high-fat diet

TGF

transforming growth factor

IL

interleukin

ECM

extracellular matrix

SPP1

secreted phosphoprotein 1

Th

helper T

Treg

regulatory T

ITGB1

integrin β1

ERK

extracellular signal-regulated kinase

RORγt

retinoid-related orphan receptor gamma t

Arg2

arginase 2
  • 1. Teng ML, Ng CH, Huang DQ, Chan KE, Tan DJ, Lim WH, et al. Global incidence and prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Clin Mol Hepatol 2023;29(Suppl):S32-S42.
  • 2. Zelber-Sagi S, Godos J, Salomone F. Lifestyle changes for the treatment of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: a review of observational studies and intervention trials. Therap Adv Gastroenterol 2016;9:392-407.
  • 3. Chalasani N, Younossi Z, Lavine JE, Charlton M, Cusi K, Rinella M, et al. The diagnosis and management of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: Practice guidance from the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases. Hepatology 2018;67:328-357.
  • 4. Seo DY, Lee SR, Heo JW, No MH, Rhee BD, Ko KS, et al. Ursolic acid in health and disease. Korean J Physiol Pharmacol 2018;22:235-248.
  • 5. Zheng Y, Huang C, Zhao L, Chen Y, Liu F. Regulation of decorin by ursolic acid protects against non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. Biomed Pharmacother 2021;143:112166.
  • 6. Zheng Y, Zhao L, Xiong Z, Huang C, Yong Q, Fang D, et al. Ursolic acid targets secreted phosphoprotein 1 to regulate Th17 cells against metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease. Clin Mol Hepatol 2024;30:449-467.
  • 7. Zhao H, Chen Q, Alam A, Cui J, Suen KC, Soo AP, et al. The role of osteopontin in the progression of solid organ tumour. Cell Death Dis 2018;9:356.
  • 8. Kriss M, Golden-Mason L, Kaplan J, Mirshahi F, Setiawan VW, Sanyal AJ, et al. Increased hepatic and circulating chemokine and osteopontin expression occurs early in human MASLD development. PLoS One 2020;15:e0236353.
  • 9. Glass O, Henao R, Patel K, Guy CD, Gruss HJ, Syn WK, et al. Serum interleukin-8, osteopontin, and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 are associated with hepatic fibrosis in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Hepatol Commun 2018;2:1344-1355.
  • 10. Kiefer FW, Neschen S, Pfau B, Legerer B, Neuhofer A, Kahle M, et al. Osteopontin deficiency protects against obesity-induced hepatic steatosis and attenuates glucose production in mice. Diabetologia 2011;54:2132-2142.
  • 11. Zhang H, Jiang Z, Zhang L. Dual effect of T helper cell 17 (Th17) and regulatory T cell (Treg) in liver pathological process: From occurrence to end stage of disease. Int Immunopharmacol 2019;69:50-59.
  • 12. `Tang Y, Bian Z, Zhao L, Liu Y, Liang S, Wang Q, et al. Interleukin-17 exacerbates hepatic steatosis and inflammation in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Clin Exp Immunol 2011;166:281-290.
  • 13. Schulien I, Hockenjos B, Schmitt-Graeff A, Perdekamp MG, Follo M, Thimme R, et al. The transcription factor c-Jun/AP-1 promotes liver fibrosis during non-alcoholic steatohepatitis by regulating Osteopontin expression. Cell Death Differ 2019;26:1688-1699.
  • 14. Jiang X, Zhang F, Ji X, Dong F, Yu H, Xue M, et al. Lipidinjured hepatocytes release sOPN to improve macrophage migration via CD44 engagement and pFak-NFκB signaling. Cytokine 2021;142:155474.
  • 15. Song Z, Chen W, Athavale D, Ge X, Desert R, Das S, et al. Osteopontin takes center stage in chronic liver disease. Hepatology 2021;73:1594-1608.
  • 16. Schwabe RF, Tabas I, Pajvani UB. Mechanisms of fibrosis development in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. Gastroenterology 2020;158:1913-1928.
  • 17. Han H, Ge X, Komakula SSB, Desert R, Das S, Song Z, et al. Macrophage-derived osteopontin (SPP1) protects from nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. Gastroenterology 2023;165:201-217.
  • 18. Lund SA, Wilson CL, Raines EW, Tang J, Giachelli CM, Scatena M. Osteopontin mediates macrophage chemotaxis via α4 and α9 integrins and survival via the α4 integrin. J Cell Biochem 2013;114:1194-1202.
  • 19. Liu L, Zhang R, Deng J, Dai X, Zhu X, Fu Q, et al. Construction of TME and Identification of crosstalk between malignant cells and macrophages by SPP1 in hepatocellular carcinoma. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2022;71:121-136.
  • 20. Wang W, Liu X, Wei P, Ye F, Chen Y, Shi L, et al. SPP1 and CXCL9 promote non-alcoholic steatohepatitis progression based on bioinformatics analysis and experimental studies. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022;9:862278.

Download Citation

Download a citation file in RIS format that can be imported by all major citation management software, including EndNote, ProCite, RefWorks, and Reference Manager.

Format:

Include:

Ursolic acid: A promising therapeutic agent for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease via inhibition of SPP1-induced Th17 cell differentiation: Editorial on “Ursolic acid targets secreted phosphoprotein 1 to regulate Th17 cells against metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease”
Clin Mol Hepatol. 2024;30(4):709-713.   Published online June 11, 2024
Download Citation

Download a citation file in RIS format that can be imported by all major citation management software, including EndNote, ProCite, RefWorks, and Reference Manager.

Format:
Include:
Ursolic acid: A promising therapeutic agent for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease via inhibition of SPP1-induced Th17 cell differentiation: Editorial on “Ursolic acid targets secreted phosphoprotein 1 to regulate Th17 cells against metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease”
Clin Mol Hepatol. 2024;30(4):709-713.   Published online June 11, 2024
Close

Figure

  • 0
Ursolic acid: A promising therapeutic agent for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease via inhibition of SPP1-induced Th17 cell differentiation: Editorial on “Ursolic acid targets secreted phosphoprotein 1 to regulate Th17 cells against metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease”
Image
Figure 1. The anti-inflammatory mechanism of ursolic acid in MASLD. In the progression of MASLD (left panel), there is an elevation in extracellular SPP1 levels, which can bind directly to surface receptors CD44 and ITGB1 on naïve CD4+ T cells. This binding triggers the phosphorylation of ERK and subsequent expression of RORγt, promoting the differentiation of pro-inflammatory Th17 cells. These Th17 cells exacerbate inflammation and lipid accumulation, accelerating MASLD progression. Conversely, ursolic acid induces regression of MASLD (right panel) by interrupting the binding of SPP1 with CD44/ITGB1. This disruption inhibits the differentiation of Th17 cells, thereby ameliorating insulin resistance, lipid accumulation, and inflammatory responses. These findings suggest that ursolic acid holds promise as a therapeutic agent for MASLD. MASLD, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease; SPP1, secreted phosphoprotein 1; ECM, extracellular matrix; ITGB1, integrin β1; ERK, extracellular signal-regulated kinase; RORγt, retinoic acid-related orphan receptor gamma t; Th17, Helper T 17.
Ursolic acid: A promising therapeutic agent for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease via inhibition of SPP1-induced Th17 cell differentiation: Editorial on “Ursolic acid targets secreted phosphoprotein 1 to regulate Th17 cells against metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease”