Mapping the triglyceride distribution in NAFLD human liver by MALDI imaging mass spectrometry reveals molecular differences in micro and macro steatosis

摘要: Hepatic lipid accumulation, mainly in the form of triglycerides (TGs), is hallmark non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). To date, spatial distribution individual lipids NAFLD-affected livers not well characterized. This study aims to map triglyceride normal human samples and with NAFLD cirrhosis imaging mass spectrometry (MALDI IMS). Specifically, whether species differing by acid chain length degree saturation correlate histopathological features as identified classical H&E. Using a recently reported sodium-doped gold-assisted laser desorption/ionization IMS sample preparation, 20 (five livers, five simple steatosis, steatohepatitis, cirrhosis) were analyzed at 10-μm lateral resolution. A total 24 species, primarily neutral lipids, (22 TGs two phospholipids). In low level accumulated around pericentral zone. all samples, different degrees side-chain demonstrated differential distribution. Furthermore, hepatocytes containing macro droplets highly enriched fully saturated triglycerides. enrichment was also observed areas hepatocyte ballooning steatohepatitis cirrhosis. conclusion, are triglycerides, indicating possible increase de novo lipogenesis that leads