Liver-specific Expression of HIV-1 Viral Protein R Causes Hepatic Steatosis and Glucose Intolerance in Male Mice
Vpr upregulates the hepatic synthesis of fatty acids and downregulates their oxidation and export as triglycerides. The liver-specific activity of Vpr is sufficient, in synergy with a HFD, to cause hepatic steatosis and impaired glucose tolerance. These findings define a tissue-autonomous role for Vpr in mediating hepatic steatosis in mice, with implications for MASLD development and its complications in PWH.
Authors
- Claudia E. Ramirez (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1562-6247)
- Ashok Balasubramanyam (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2093-5201)
- Mark A. Herman (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6979-103X)
- Jordan E. Lake (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0640-5514)
- Sean M. Hartig (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2695-2072)
- Pradip Saha (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8505-0917)
- Neeti Agarwal (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1828-3937)
Institutions
- Baylor College of Medicine (US)
- The University of Texas Health Science Center (US)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Journal of the Endocrine Society
- Published
- 2025-08-22
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1210/jendso/bvaf132
- Primary Topic
- Liver Disease Diagnosis and Treatment
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- National Institutes of Health