Abstract

Macrophages show high plasticity and play a vital role in the progression of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH).X-box binding protein 1 (XBP1), a key sensor of the unfolded protein response, can modulate macrophage-mediated pro-inflammatory responses in the pathogenesis of MASH.However, how XBP1 influences macrophage plasticity and promotes MASH progression remains unclear.Herein, we formulated an Xbp1 siRNA delivery system based on folic acid modified D-α-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate nanoparticles (FT@XBP1) to explore the precise role of macrophage-specific Xbp1 deficiency in the progression of MASH.FT@XBP1 was specifically internalized into hepatic macrophages and subsequently inhibited the expression of spliced XBP1 both in vitro and in vivo.It promoted M1-phenotype macrophage repolarization to M2 macrophages, reduced the release of pro-inflammatory factors, and alleviated hepatic steatosis, liver injury, and fibrosis in mice with fat-, fructose-and cholesterol-rich diet-induced MASH.Mechanistically, FT@XBP1 promoted macrophage polarization toward the M2 phenotype and enhanced the release of exosomes that could inhibit the activation of hepatic stellate cells.A promising macrophage-targeted siRNA delivery system was revealed to pave a promising strategy in the treatment of MASH.