Whilst it is possible that systemic CCN2 may have mediated the NASH fibrosis in the current work, it is notable that the body weight, blood glucose levels and insulin sensitivity of the mice within each group (HFD, DM, and HFD + DM), were not affected by the CCN2Ab compared with the control IgG (Table 2). Here, INS is linked to metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis.