An evolutionarily conserved ALK1-BMP9/10 ligand-receptor pair between KCs (ALK1; encoded by Acvrl1) and stellate cells (BMP9/10 encoded by Gdf1/Bmp10 respectively) has been demonstrated to be crucial in regulating both the development and maintenance of KCs in liver [19].In addition, studies focusing on changes in epigenetic landscapes in liver macrophages identify the function of transcription factor LXR during NASH progression, which may contribute to impaired Kupffer cell self-renew and survival [15]. The gene discussed is GDF2; the disease is metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis.