CCR9 and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis: In this regard, an increased number of CCR9+ cells in the liver and an elevated serum CCL25 level were observed in NASH patients in comparison to healthy controls, as well as an increased number of CCR9+ macrophages and CCR9+ hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) in a high-fat/high-cholesterol (HFHC)-diet mouse model.