Mesencephalic astrocyte-derived neurotrophic factor (MANF): a context-dependent therapeutic regulator and potential biomarker in liver diseases

Mesencephalic astrocyte-derived neurotrophic factor (MANF) is a highly conserved protein that plays crucial roles in cellular stress responses and exerts profound impacts on multiple diseases. Accumulating evidence demonstrates that MANF is involved in various liver pathological conditions, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), liver fibrosis, liver regeneration, lipid metabolism dysregulation, and drug-induced liver injury. Notably, the functions of MANF extend beyond the liver itself; it can systemically regulate the progression of liver diseases by coordinating liver-multiorgan crosstalk, such as the gut-liver and spleen-liver axes. Furthermore, its regulatory actions exhibit diverse and context-dependent patterns, which are tightly coupled to the specific cell type and disease setting. Therefore, MANF is not only a key molecule for understanding the mechanisms underlying liver diseases but also a potential systemic modulator in the liver-associated metabolic-immune network. This review aims to systematically elucidate the expression, functions, and multi-organ interactive mechanisms of MANF in liver diseases, and to assess the evidence supporting its pathophysiological and contingent therapeutic relevance.