Biallelic variants in LARS1 induce steatosis in developing zebrafish liver via enhanced autophagy

Abstract

Acute liver failure is a life-threatening condition during infancy. Biallelic pathogenic variants in LARS1 cause infantile liver failure syndrome type 1 (ILFS1), which is characterized by acute hepatic failure in infants. LARS functions as a protein associated with mTORC1 and plays a crucial role in amino acid-triggered mTORC1 activation and autophagy regulation. A previous study demonstrated that larsb-knockout zebrafish show a condition resembling ILFS. However, a comprehensive analysis of larsb-knockout zebrafish has not yet been performed because of early mortality. We herein generated a long-term viable zebrafish model carrying a LARS1 variant identified in an ILFS1 patient (larsb-I451F zebrafish) and analyzed the pathogenesis of the affected liver of ILFS1. Hepatic dysfunction is most prominent in ILFS1 patients during infancy; correspondingly, the larsb-I451F zebrafish manifested hepatic anomalies during the developmental stages. The larsb-I451F zebrafish demonstrates augmented lipid accumulation within the liver under autophagy activation. Inhibition of DGAT1, which converts fatty acids to triacylglycerols, improved lipid droplets in the liver of larsb-I451F zebrafish. Notably, treatment with an autophagy inhibitor ameliorated hepatic lipid accumulation in this model. Our findings suggested that enhanced autophagy caused by biallelic LARS1 variants contributes to ILFS1-associated hepatic dysfunction. Furthermore, the larsb-I451F zebrafish model, which has a prolonged survival rate compared to the larsb-knockout model, highlights its potential utility as a tool for investigating the pathophysiology of ILFS1-associated liver dysfunction. Author SummaryInfantile liver failure (ALF) is a rare but life-threatening condition primarily caused by various genetic and infectious factors during infancy. Comprehensive research into its causes is crucial for treatment decisions, including liver transplantation and supportive interventions. While specific therapies exist for some conditions, a significant proportion of infant ALF cases remains unresolved. Recent advances in genetic sequencing have identified congenital disorders, particularly involving the LARS1 gene, as contributors to ALF. LARS1 is essential for regulating processes related to amino acids and autophagy. To better understand this condition, we created a zebrafish model carrying specific LARS1 gene variants seen in ALF patients. These zebrafish displayed liver abnormalities similar to those observed in infants with ALF. Our study revealed that enhanced autophagy, triggered by biallelic LARS1 variants, plays a significant role in liver dysfunction associated with ALF. Notably, inhibiting specific enzymes involved in fat metabolism and autophagy showed promising results in reducing hepatic lipid accumulation in our zebrafish model. This research provides insights that may lead to improved understanding and potential treatments for this devastating condition.