Immortalized Human Hepatocytes-SV40

MST3, STK25, and MST4 Play Overlapping but Nonredundant Roles in The Control of Hepatocellular Lipotoxicity

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease has emerged as a leading global cause of chronic liver disease. Our recent translational investigations have shown that the STE20-type kinases comprising the GCKIII subfamily—MST3, STK25, and MST4—associate with hepatic lipid droplets and regulate ectopic fat storage in the liver; however, the mode of action of these proteins remains to be resolved. By comparing different combinations of the silencing of MST3, STK25, and/or MST4 in immortalized human hepatocytes, we found that their single knockdown results in a similar reduction in hepatocellular lipid content and metabolic stress, without any additive or synergistic effects observed when all three kinases are simultaneously depleted.

Fig. 1. Schematic illustration of the impact of single versus triple knockdown of the GCKIII kinases (MST3, STK25, and MST4) on hepatocellular lipotoxicity (Cansby, Emmelie, et al. 2024).

Effects on Cell Viability by Substances Migrating from the CMC-SA Edible Film to Food Simulants

Edible raw materials have gained attention as sustainable food packaging films, which are often considered a priori safe for human consumption. However, cytotoxicity issues may arise due to the incorporation of additives or modifications of film functionality during the manufacturing process. This study introduces an integrated methodology for the evaluation of potential migration of cytotoxic substances from materials used for the development of conventional and biodegradable food packaging. Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and sodium alginate (SA) were tested as raw materials of an edible (CMC-SA) film, while a low-density-polyethylene (LDPE) film was tested as a conventional material. The potential migration of cytotoxic packaging substances into food simulants was evaluated using different human cells. Caco2 cells were used to simulate human intestine, whereas Huh7 and Immortalized Human Hepatocytes (IHH) cells simulated human liver. Cell viability assays and gene expression results indicated that substances migrating from the tested packaging materials neither produced cell cytotoxicity, nor induced oxidative stress to Caco2 cells.

Fig. 2. Effect of the dH₂O-dissolved CMC-SA edible film on survival of Huh7, Caco2 and IHH cells (Kalliampakou, Katerina I., et al. 2025).

Fig. 3. Effect on the expression of oxidative stress-related genes by substances migrating from the CMC-SA edible film to food simulant solvents (Kalliampakou, Katerina I., et al. 2025).