PNPLA2 and steatosis: In liver biopsies with no or only mild steatosis due to HCV or NAFLD, perilipin 2 staining was only detected in non-parenchymal cells, most presumably in HSCs, as already shown before [50]; however, in livers with moderate to strong steatosis, perilipin 2 was mainly detected in hepatocytes whereas perilipin 2-staining in non-parenchymal cells of the liver was diminished or absent, pointing to a pathogenic role of HSCs in the progression of chronic hepatitis C. HCV core protein has been shown to interact with ATGL and ABHD5 at perilipin 2-positive LDs in hepatocytes [69].