Figure (IMAGE) Kanazawa University Caption Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is characterized by the accumulation of fat in ≥5% of hepatocytes in the absence of significant alcohol consumption (20 g/day for woman and 30 g/day for man). Some individuals with NAFLD can develop nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), a more severe case of fatty liver disease, which is marked by liver inflammation and fibrosis and may progress to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Chemokine CCL3 largely produced by pro-inflammatory M1 macrophages rather than alternatively activated M2 macrophages. In the development of NAFLD, CCL3 promotes 1) bone marrow-derived monocytes (BMDMs) recruitment into the inflamed liver and 2) M1-dominant liver macrophage polarization, which contribute to sustaining the inflammation resulting in insulin resistance and hepatic stellate cell activation. Credit Kanazawa University Usage Restrictions The image may only be used with appropriate caption and credit. License Original content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.