Differential metabolites facilitate metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease malignancy via immune evasion and M2-polarized macrophages

Figure 6 M2 macrophages and signaling pathways during metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease malignancy. A: Dynamic alterations in the expression of the main genes in hepatic macrophages during metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease malignancy; B: M2-polarized macrophages (CD68+ or CD163+); C: Gene signal intensity of M1- or M2- macrophages; D: Inhibition of the steroid biosynthesis pathway; E: Activation of the cell cycle signaling pathway; F: Schematic diagram for interactions among differential metabolites, inhibited T cells and M2 macrophages promoting metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease malignancy. PD-L1: Programmed death ligand 1; HFD: High-fat diet; CPT-II: Carnitine palmitoyl transferase II; DMs: Differential metabolites; NC: Normal control; MAFLD: Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease; MASH: Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis; LC: Liver cirrhosis; HCC: Hepatocellular carcinoma.