(IMAGE) University of Tokyo Caption (Left) AIM is taken up into healthy liver cells, where it inhibits lipid storage and prevents steatosis, an illness caused by the buildup of excess lipid inside cells. (Right) In a liver with HCC, AIM accumulates on the cell surface, resulting in the activation of the complement cascade and inducing necrotic cell death. Dead HCC cells are then cleared by liver macrophages. Credit © 2014 Toru Miyazaki. Usage Restrictions Use in relation to current release. License Licensed 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.