Oncostatin M regulates CYP7A1, the rate-limiting enzyme in bile acid biosynthesis, and contributes to the pathogenesis of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Oncostatin M (OSM) is an IL-6 family cytokine released by activated monocytes/macrophages, neutrophils and dendritic cells in the early phase of inflammatory processes. Recent studies using Osmr-/- mice determined a protective function of OSM in metabolic disorders. Increasing evidence suggests that hypercholesterolemia is a crucial factor in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) pathogenesis. As Ldlr-/- mice are a physiological model of NAFLD and hypercholesterolemia we investigated the influence of OSM on NAFLD in genetic mouse models on C57/Bl6 and Ldlr-/- background.