The PNPLA3 I148M variant modulates the fibrogenic phenotype of human hepatic stellate cells
Francesca Virginia Bruschi, Thierry Claudel, Matteo Tardelli, Alessandra Caligiuri, Thomas M. Stulnig, Fabio Marra, Michael Trauner – 10 January 2017 – The genetic polymorphism I148M of patatin‐like phospholipase domain–containing 3 (PNPLA3) is robustly associated with hepatic steatosis and its progression to steatohepatitis, fibrosis, and cancer. Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are key players in the development of liver fibrosis, but the role of PNPLA3 and its variant I148M in this process is poorly understood.