Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41903937›Full record

ArticleStem cells translational medicine2026

METTL1-deficient mesenchymal stem cells protect against metabolic-associated fatty liver disease by increasing NAMPT secretion.

Jiang Du, Yuxuan Zhang, Chiheng Wang, Yuyuan Wang, Hongen Zhang, Dunyong Zhao, Juntang Lin

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Stem cells translational medicine, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Jiang DuHenan Collaborative Innovation Center of Stem Cells and Biotherapy, School of Medical Engineering, Henan Medical University (Xinxiang Medical University), Xinxiang 453003, China.
Yuxuan ZhangHenan Collaborative Innovation Center of Stem Cells and Biotherapy, School of Medical Engineering, Henan Medical University (Xinxiang Medical University), Xinxiang 453003, China.
Chiheng WangHenan Collaborative Innovation Center of Stem Cells and Biotherapy, School of Medical Engineering, Henan Medical University (Xinxiang Medical University), Xinxiang 453003, China.
Yuyuan WangHenan Collaborative Innovation Center of Stem Cells and Biotherapy, School of Medical Engineering, Henan Medical University (Xinxiang Medical University), Xinxiang 453003, China.
Hongen ZhangSchool of pediatrics, Henan Medical University (Xinxiang Medical University), Xinxiang 453003, China.
Dunyong ZhaoDepartment of Gastroenterology, Institute of Digestive Diseases of PLA, The First Affiliated Hospital (Southwest Hospital) of Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University), Chongqing 400038, China.
Juntang LinHenan Collaborative Innovation Center of Stem Cells and Biotherapy, School of Medical Engineering, Henan Medical University (Xinxiang Medical University), Xinxiang 453003, China.ORCID 0000-0001-9300-1771

Funding

Natural Science Foundation of Henan Province 235101610002Natural Science Foundation of Henan Province 242300421199Natural Science Foundation of Henan Province 252300420147
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundGenetically modified mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been shown to enhance their therapeutic properties, offering more effective treatment options for various diseases, including metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MASLD). The m7G methyltransferase METTL1 plays a critical role in regulating RNA splicing, stability, and translation. This study presents our findings on METTL1 modified human umbilical cord MSCs, emphasizing their therapeutic effects and the mechanisms involved in treating MASLD.

methodsMETTL1 knockdown MSCs were generated via lentiviral shRNA. Key characteristics, including senescence, proliferation, cell cycle, and apoptosis, were assessed in vitro. A high-fat diet (HFD)-induced MASLD mouse model was used to evaluate the effects of MSC transplantation through serological, biochemical, and pathological analyses. Molecular mechanisms were explored using immunofluorescence (IF), Western blotting (WB), and quantitative PCR (qPCR).

resultsOur results indicate that METTL1-deficient MSCs exhibit reduced proliferative capacity and increased susceptibility to senescence and apoptosis. Remarkably, these MSCs significantly decreased lipid accumulation in both in vitro and in vivo MASLD models. We found that METTL1-deficient MSCs secrete higher levels of NAMPT, which activates SIRT1, leading to the inhibition of SREBP1-mediated lipogenic genes. Inhibition of NAMPT reversed the protective effects of METTL1-deficient MSCs against MASLD-related lipid metabolic disorders. Furthermore, overexpression of METTL1 in MSCs exacerbated lipid metabolic disorders in MASLD mice by inhibiting the NAMPT/SIRT1/SREBP1 signaling pathway.

conclusionMETTL1-deficient MSCs alleviate MASLD-associated lipid metabolic disorders via NAMPT secretion. This suggests that genetically modified MSCs targeting METTL1 may represent a promising therapeutic strategy for the treatment of MASLD.

Indexed as

CytokinesFatty LiverMesenchymal Stem CellsMesenchymal Stem Cell TransplantationMethyltransferasesNicotinamide PhosphoribosyltransferaseAnimalsApoptosisCell ProliferationDiet, High-FatDisease Models, AnimalHumansMaleMiceMice, Inbred C57BLCytokinesMethyltransferasesNicotinamide Phosphoribosyltransferasenicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase, mouselipid synthesismesenchymal stem cellsmetabolic-associated fatty liver diseaseMETTL1NAMPT

Identifiers

PMID41903937
PMCPMC13032905

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.