Hypoxia-inducible factor 2α drives hepatosteatosis through the fatty acid translocase CD36.

Background & Aims: Molecular mechanisms by which hypoxia might contribute to hepatosteatosis, the earliest stage in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) pathogenesis, remain still to be elucidated. We aimed to assess the impact of hypoxia-inducible factor 2α (HIF2α) on the fatty acid translocase CD36 expression and function in vivo and in vitro.

Methods: CD36 expression and intracellular lipid content were determined in hypoxic hepatocytes, and in hypoxic CD36- or HIF2α -silenced human liver cells.