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Xia M, Varmazyad M, Palacin IP, Gavlock DC, Debiasio R, LaRocca G, Reese C, Florentino R, Faccioli LAP, Brown JA, Vernetti LA, Schurdak ME, Stern AM, Gough A, Behari J, Soto-Gutierrez A, Taylor DL, Miedel M. Comparison of Wild-Type and High-risk PNPLA3 variants in a Human Biomimetic Liver Microphysiology System for Metabolic Dysfunction-associated Steatotic Liver Disease Precision Therapy. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.04.22.590608. [PMID: 38712213 PMCID: PMC11071381 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.22.590608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is a worldwide health epidemic with a global occurrence of approximately 30%. The pathogenesis of MASLD is a complex, multisystem disorder driven by multiple factors including genetics, lifestyle, and the environment. Patient heterogeneity presents challenges for developing MASLD therapeutics, creation of patient cohorts for clinical trials and optimization of therapeutic strategies for specific patient cohorts. Implementing pre-clinical experimental models for drug development creates a significant challenge as simple in vitro systems and animal models do not fully recapitulate critical steps in the pathogenesis and the complexity of MASLD progression. To address this, we implemented a precision medicine strategy that couples the use of our liver acinus microphysiology system (LAMPS) constructed with patient-derived primary cells. We investigated the MASLD-associated genetic variant PNPLA3 rs738409 (I148M variant) in primary hepatocytes, as it is associated with MASLD progression. We constructed LAMPS with genotyped wild type and variant PNPLA3 hepatocytes together with key non-parenchymal cells and quantified the reproducibility of the model. We altered media components to mimic blood chemistries, including insulin, glucose, free fatty acids, and immune activating molecules to reflect normal fasting (NF), early metabolic syndrome (EMS) and late metabolic syndrome (LMS) conditions. Finally, we investigated the response to treatment with resmetirom, an approved drug for metabolic syndrome-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), the progressive form of MASLD. This study using primary cells serves as a benchmark for studies using patient biomimetic twins constructed with patient iPSC-derived liver cells using a panel of reproducible metrics. We observed increased steatosis, immune activation, stellate cell activation and secretion of pro-fibrotic markers in the PNPLA3 GG variant compared to wild type CC LAMPS, consistent with the clinical characterization of this variant. We also observed greater resmetirom efficacy in PNPLA3 wild type CC LAMPS compared to the GG variant in multiple MASLD metrics including steatosis, stellate cell activation and the secretion of pro-fibrotic markers. In conclusion, our study demonstrates the capability of the LAMPS platform for the development of MASLD precision therapeutics, enrichment of patient cohorts for clinical trials, and optimization of therapeutic strategies for patient subgroups with different clinical traits and disease stages.
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Alp G, Oztas Y, Yalcinkaya A, Ozel S, Yildirim N, Unal S. Plasma sphingolipids in patients with sickle cell disease: Multiple-site vaso-occlusive crises could be associated with lower sphingolipid levels. Lipids 2024; 59:75-82. [PMID: 38332401 DOI: 10.1002/lipd.12389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Revised: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
Although sickle cell disease (SCD) and its manifestations have been associated with various lipid alterations, there are a few studies exploring the impact of sphingolipids in SCD. In this study, we determined plasma ceramide (Cer) and sphingomyelin (CerPCho) species and investigated their association with the crisis in SCD. SCD patients (N = 27) suffering from vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC) or acute chest syndrome (ACS) were involved in this study. Blood samples were drawn at crisis and later at steady state periods. Clinical history, white blood cell count (WBC), C-reactive protein and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels were recorded. 16:0, 18:0, 20:0, 22:0 Cer and 16:0, 18:0, 24:0 CerPCho were measured via LC-MS/MS. All measured Cer and CerPCho levels of SCD patients at crisis and steady-state were found to be similar. Inflammation-related parameters were significantly higher in patients with ACS compared to single-site VOC. Patients with multiple-site VOC were found to have significantly lower sphingolipid levels compared with those with single-site VOC, at crisis (16, 18, 24 CerPCho and 18, 22 Cer) and at steady-state (24:0 CerPCho and 18 Cer). Our results show that sphingolipid levels in SCD patients are similar during crisis and at steady state. However, lower sphingolipid levels appear to be associated with the development of multiple-site VOC. Since the differences were observed at both crisis and steady-state, sphingolipid level could be an underlying factor associated with crisis characteristics in patients with SCD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gokce Alp
- Faculty of Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Yesim Oztas
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Biochemistry, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Ahmet Yalcinkaya
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Biochemistry, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Selinay Ozel
- Faculty of Science, Department of Chemistry, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Nazim Yildirim
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics Hematology, Mersin University, Mersin, Turkey
| | - Selma Unal
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics Hematology, Mersin University, Mersin, Turkey
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Guo Y, Gao Z, LaGory EL, Kristin LW, Gupte J, Gong Y, Rardin MJ, Liu T, Nguyen TT, Long J, Hsu YH, Murray JK, Lade J, Jackson S, Zhang J. Liver-specific mitochondrial amidoxime-reducing component 1 (Mtarc1) knockdown protects the liver from diet-induced MASH in multiple mouse models. Hepatol Commun 2024; 8:e0419. [PMID: 38696369 PMCID: PMC11068142 DOI: 10.1097/hc9.0000000000000419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/04/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Human genetic studies have identified several mitochondrial amidoxime-reducing component 1 (MTARC1) variants as protective against metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease. The MTARC1 variants are associated with decreased plasma lipids and liver enzymes and reduced liver-related mortality. However, the role of mARC1 in fatty liver disease is still unclear. METHODS Given that mARC1 is mainly expressed in hepatocytes, we developed an N-acetylgalactosamine-conjugated mouse Mtarc1 siRNA, applying it in multiple in vivo models to investigate the role of mARC1 using multiomic techniques. RESULTS In ob/ob mice, knockdown of Mtarc1 in mouse hepatocytes resulted in decreased serum liver enzymes, LDL-cholesterol, and liver triglycerides. Reduction of mARC1 also reduced liver weight, improved lipid profiles, and attenuated liver pathological changes in 2 diet-induced metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis mouse models. A comprehensive analysis of mARC1-deficient liver from a metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis mouse model by metabolomics, proteomics, and lipidomics showed that Mtarc1 knockdown partially restored metabolites and lipids altered by diet. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, reducing mARC1 expression in hepatocytes protects against metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis in multiple murine models, suggesting a potential therapeutic approach for this chronic liver disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanjun Guo
- Research Biomarkers, Amgen Research, South San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Zhengyu Gao
- Cardiometabolic Disorders, Amgen Research, South San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Edward L. LaGory
- Pharmacokinetics and Drug Metabolism, Amgen Research, South San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Lewis Wilson Kristin
- Translational Safety and Bioanalytical Sciences, Amgen Research, South San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Jamila Gupte
- Cardiometabolic Disorders, Amgen Research, South San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Yan Gong
- Cardiometabolic Disorders, Amgen Research, South San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Matthew J. Rardin
- Discovery Technology Platforms, Amgen Research, South San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Tongyu Liu
- Center for Research Acceleration by Digital Innovation, Amgen Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Thong T. Nguyen
- Center for Research Acceleration by Digital Innovation, Amgen Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jason Long
- RNA Therapeutics, Amgen Research, One Amgen Center Drive, Thousand Oaks, California, USA
| | - Yi-Hsiang Hsu
- Center for Research Acceleration by Digital Innovation, Amgen Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Justin K. Murray
- RNA Therapeutics, Amgen Research, One Amgen Center Drive, Thousand Oaks, California, USA
| | - Julie Lade
- Pharmacokinetics and Drug Metabolism, Amgen Research, South San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Simon Jackson
- Cardiometabolic Disorders, Amgen Research, South San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Jun Zhang
- Cardiometabolic Disorders, Amgen Research, South San Francisco, California, USA
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Struwe MA, Scheidig AJ, Clement B. The mitochondrial amidoxime reducing component-from prodrug-activation mechanism to drug-metabolizing enzyme and onward to drug target. J Biol Chem 2023; 299:105306. [PMID: 37778733 PMCID: PMC10637980 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.105306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Revised: 09/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/24/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The mitochondrial amidoxime-reducing component (mARC) is one of five known molybdenum enzymes in eukaryotes. mARC belongs to the MOSC domain superfamily, a large group of so far poorly studied molybdoenzymes. mARC was initially discovered as the enzyme activating N-hydroxylated prodrugs of basic amidines but has since been shown to also reduce a variety of other N-oxygenated compounds, for example, toxic nucleobase analogs. Under certain circumstances, mARC might also be involved in reductive nitric oxide synthesis through reduction of nitrite. Recently, mARC enzymes have received a lot of attention due to their apparent involvement in lipid metabolism and, in particular, because many genome-wide association studies have shown a common variant of human mARC1 to have a protective effect against liver disease. The mechanism linking mARC enzymes with lipid metabolism remains unknown. Here, we give a comprehensive overview of what is currently known about mARC enzymes, their substrates, structure, and apparent involvement in human disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michel A Struwe
- Zoologisches Institut - Strukturbiologie, Christian-Albrechts-Universität Kiel, Kiel, Germany; Pharmazeutisches Institut, Christian-Albrechts-Universität Kiel, Kiel, Germany.
| | - Axel J Scheidig
- Zoologisches Institut - Strukturbiologie, Christian-Albrechts-Universität Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Bernd Clement
- Pharmazeutisches Institut, Christian-Albrechts-Universität Kiel, Kiel, Germany
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Garcia NA, Mellergaard M, Gonzalez-King H, Salomon C, Handberg A. Comprehensive Strategy for Identifying Extracellular Vesicle Surface Proteins as Biomarkers for Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:13326. [PMID: 37686134 PMCID: PMC10487973 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241713326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a liver disorder that has become a global health concern due to its increasing prevalence. There is a need for reliable biomarkers to aid in the diagnosis and prognosis of NAFLD. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are promising candidates in biomarker discovery, as they carry proteins that reflect the pathophysiological state of the liver. In this review, we developed a list of EV proteins that could be used as diagnostic biomarkers for NAFLD. We employed a multi-step strategy that involved reviewing and comparing various sources of information. Firstly, we reviewed papers that have studied EVs proteins as biomarkers in NAFLD and papers that have studied circulating proteins as biomarkers in NAFLD. To further identify potential candidates, we utilized the EV database Vesiclepedia.org to qualify each protein. Finally, we consulted the Human Protein Atlas to search for candidates' localization, focusing on membrane proteins. By integrating these sources of information, we developed a comprehensive list of potential EVs membrane protein biomarkers that could aid in diagnosing and monitoring NAFLD. In conclusion, our multi-step strategy for identifying EV-based protein biomarkers for NAFLD provides a comprehensive approach that can also be applied to other diseases. The protein candidates identified through this approach could have significant implications for the development of non-invasive diagnostic tests for NAFLD and improve the management and treatment of this prevalent liver disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Maiken Mellergaard
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg Hobrovej 18-22, 9000 Aalborg, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, The Faculty of Medicine, Aalborg University, 9000 Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Hernan Gonzalez-King
- Research and Early Development, Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolism (CVRM), BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, 431 50 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Carlos Salomon
- Translational Extracellular Vesicles in Obstetrics and Gynae-Oncology Group, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4029, Australia
| | - Aase Handberg
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg Hobrovej 18-22, 9000 Aalborg, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, The Faculty of Medicine, Aalborg University, 9000 Aalborg, Denmark
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Agyapong G, Dashti F, Banini BA. Nonalcoholic liver disease: Epidemiology, risk factors, natural history, and management strategies. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2023; 1526:16-29. [PMID: 37400359 PMCID: PMC10524684 DOI: 10.1111/nyas.15012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/05/2023]
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is now the most common chronic liver disease worldwide and a leading indication for liver transplantation in the United States. NAFLD encompasses a heterogeneous clinicopathologic spectrum, ranging from nonalcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, and progressive fibrosis, which can lead to end-stage liver disease including cirrhosis and hepatocellular cancer. Predictive models suggest that over 100 million adults in the United States will have NAFLD by 2030, representing over a third of the population. In this manuscript, we provide an overview of NAFLD risk factors, natural history (including hepatic and extra-hepatic outcomes), diagnosis, and current management strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- George Agyapong
- Section of Digestive Diseases, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Department of Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Farzaneh Dashti
- Section of Digestive Diseases, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Bubu A Banini
- Section of Digestive Diseases, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
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7
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Huang Y, Stinson SE, Juel HB, Lund MAV, Holm LA, Fonvig CE, Nielsen T, Grarup N, Pedersen O, Christiansen M, Chabanova E, Thomsen HS, Krag A, Stender S, Holm JC, Hansen T. An adult-based genetic risk score for liver fat associates with liver and plasma lipid traits in children and adolescents. Liver Int 2023; 43:1772-1782. [PMID: 37208954 DOI: 10.1111/liv.15613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Revised: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Genome-wide association studies have identified steatogenic variants that also showed pleiotropic effects on cardiometabolic traits in adults. We investigated the effect of eight previously reported genome-wide significant steatogenic variants, individually and combined in a weighted genetic risk score (GRS), on liver and cardiometabolic traits, and the predictive ability of the GRS for hepatic steatosis in children and adolescents. APPROACH & RESULTS Children and adolescents with overweight (including obesity) from an obesity clinic group (n = 1768) and a population-based group (n = 1890) were included. Cardiometabolic risk outcomes and genotypes were obtained. Liver fat was quantified using 1 H-MRS in a subset of 727 participants. Variants in PNPLA3, TM6SF2, GPAM and TRIB1 were associated with higher liver fat (p < .05) and with distinct patterns of plasma lipids. The GRS was associated with higher liver fat content, plasma concentrations of alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and favourable plasma lipid levels. The GRS was associated with higher prevalence of hepatic steatosis (defined as liver fat ≥5.0%) (odds ratio per 1-SD unit: 2.17, p = 9.7E-10). A prediction model for hepatic steatosis including GRS alone yielded an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.78 (95% CI 0.76-0.81). Combining the GRS with clinical measures (waist-to-height ratio [WHtR] SDS, ALT, and HOMA-IR) increased the AUC up to 0.86 (95% CI 0.84-0.88). CONCLUSIONS The genetic predisposition for liver fat accumulation conferred risk of hepatic steatosis in children and adolescents. The liver fat GRS has potential clinical utility for risk stratification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Huang
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Sara E Stinson
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Helene Baek Juel
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Morten A V Lund
- The Children's Obesity Clinic, accredited European Centre for Obesity Management, Department of Pediatrics, Copenhagen University Hospital Holbaek, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Louise Aas Holm
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- The Children's Obesity Clinic, accredited European Centre for Obesity Management, Department of Pediatrics, Copenhagen University Hospital Holbaek, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Cilius E Fonvig
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- The Children's Obesity Clinic, accredited European Centre for Obesity Management, Department of Pediatrics, Copenhagen University Hospital Holbaek, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Pediatrics, Kolding Hospital a Part of Lillebaelt Hospital, Kolding, Denmark
| | - Trine Nielsen
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Niels Grarup
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Oluf Pedersen
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Copenhagen University Hospital Herlev Gentofte, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Michael Christiansen
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department for Congenital Disorders, Statens Serum Institute, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Elizaveta Chabanova
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Copenhagen University Hospital Herlev Gentofte, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Henrik S Thomsen
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Copenhagen University Hospital Herlev Gentofte, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Aleksander Krag
- Center for Liver Research, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
- Institute of Clinical Research, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Stefan Stender
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jens-Christian Holm
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- The Children's Obesity Clinic, accredited European Centre for Obesity Management, Department of Pediatrics, Copenhagen University Hospital Holbaek, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Torben Hansen
- Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Lewis LC, Chen L, Hameed LS, Kitchen RR, Maroteau C, Nagarajan SR, Norlin J, Daly CE, Szczerbinska I, Hjuler ST, Patel R, Livingstone EJ, Durrant TN, Wondimu E, BasuRay S, Chandran A, Lee WH, Hu S, Gilboa B, Grandi ME, Toledo EM, Erikat AH, Hodson L, Haynes WG, Pursell NW, Coppieters K, Fleckner J, Howson JM, Andersen B, Ruby MA. Hepatocyte mARC1 promotes fatty liver disease. JHEP Rep 2023; 5:100693. [PMID: 37122688 PMCID: PMC10133763 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhepr.2023.100693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Revised: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Background & Aims Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has a prevalence of ∼25% worldwide, with significant public health consequences yet few effective treatments. Human genetics can help elucidate novel biology and identify targets for new therapeutics. Genetic variants in mitochondrial amidoxime-reducing component 1 (MTARC1) have been associated with NAFLD and liver-related mortality; however, its pathophysiological role and the cell type(s) mediating these effects remain unclear. We aimed to investigate how MTARC1 exerts its effects on NAFLD by integrating human genetics with in vitro and in vivo studies of mARC1 knockdown. Methods Analyses including multi-trait colocalisation and Mendelian randomisation were used to assess the genetic associations of MTARC1. In addition, we established an in vitro long-term primary human hepatocyte model with metabolic readouts and used the Gubra Amylin NASH (GAN)-diet non-alcoholic steatohepatitis mouse model treated with hepatocyte-specific N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc)-siRNA to understand the in vivo impacts of MTARC1. Results We showed that genetic variants within the MTARC1 locus are associated with liver enzymes, liver fat, plasma lipids, and body composition, and these associations are attributable to the same causal variant (p.A165T, rs2642438 G>A), suggesting a shared mechanism. We demonstrated that increased MTARC1 mRNA had an adverse effect on these traits using Mendelian randomisation, implying therapeutic inhibition of mARC1 could be beneficial. In vitro mARC1 knockdown decreased lipid accumulation and increased triglyceride secretion, and in vivo GalNAc-siRNA-mediated knockdown of mARC1 lowered hepatic but increased plasma triglycerides. We found alterations in pathways regulating lipid metabolism and decreased secretion of 3-hydroxybutyrate upon mARC1 knockdown in vitro and in vivo. Conclusions Collectively, our findings from human genetics, and in vitro and in vivo hepatocyte-specific mARC1 knockdown support the potential efficacy of hepatocyte-specific targeting of mARC1 for treatment of NAFLD. Impact and implications We report that genetically predicted increases in MTARC1 mRNA associate with poor liver health. Furthermore, knockdown of mARC1 reduces hepatic steatosis in primary human hepatocytes and a murine NASH model. Together, these findings further underscore the therapeutic potential of targeting hepatocyte MTARC1 for NAFLD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Shilpa R. Nagarajan
- Oxford Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Churchill Hospital, Oxford, UK
| | | | | | | | | | - Rahul Patel
- Novo Nordisk Research Centre Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Wan-Hung Lee
- Dicerna Pharmaceuticals Inc., Lexington, MA, USA
| | - Sile Hu
- Novo Nordisk Research Centre Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | | | | | | | | | - Leanne Hodson
- Oxford Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Churchill Hospital, Oxford, UK
- National Institute for Health Research Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Oxford University Hospital Trusts, Oxford, UK
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Conway J, Pouryahya M, Gindin Y, Pan DZ, Carrasco-Zevallos OM, Mountain V, Subramanian GM, Montalto MC, Resnick M, Beck AH, Huss RS, Myers RP, Taylor-Weiner A, Wapinski I, Chung C. Integration of deep learning-based histopathology and transcriptomics reveals key genes associated with fibrogenesis in patients with advanced NASH. Cell Rep Med 2023; 4:101016. [PMID: 37075704 PMCID: PMC10140650 DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2023.101016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Revised: 12/31/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 04/21/2023]
Abstract
Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is the most common chronic liver disease globally and a leading cause for liver transplantation in the US. Its pathogenesis remains imprecisely defined. We combined two high-resolution modalities to tissue samples from NASH clinical trials, machine learning (ML)-based quantification of histological features and transcriptomics, to identify genes that are associated with disease progression and clinical events. A histopathology-driven 5-gene expression signature predicted disease progression and clinical events in patients with NASH with F3 (pre-cirrhotic) and F4 (cirrhotic) fibrosis. Notably, the Notch signaling pathway and genes implicated in liver-related diseases were enriched in this expression signature. In a validation cohort where pharmacologic intervention improved disease histology, multiple Notch signaling components were suppressed.
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Sharpe MC, Pyles KD, Hallcox T, Kamm DR, Piechowski M, Fisk B, Albert CJ, Carpenter DH, Ulmasov B, Ford DA, Neuschwander-Tetri BA, McCommis KS. Enhancing Hepatic MBOAT7 Expression in Mice With Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis. GASTRO HEP ADVANCES 2023; 2:558-572. [PMID: 37293574 PMCID: PMC10249591 DOI: 10.1016/j.gastha.2023.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Polymorphisms near the membrane bound O-acyltransferase domain containing 7 (MBOAT7) genes are associated with worsened nonalcoholic fatty liver (NASH), and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)/NASH may decrease MBOAT7 expression independent of these polymorphisms. We hypothesized that enhancing MBOAT7 function would improve NASH. METHODS Genomic and lipidomic databases were mined for MBOAT7 expression and hepatic phosphatidylinositol (PI) abundance in human NAFLD/NASH. Male C57BL6/J mice were fed either choline-deficient high-fat diet or Gubra Amylin NASH diet and subsequently infected with adeno-associated virus expressing MBOAT7 or control virus. NASH histological scoring and lipidomic analyses were performed to assess MBOAT7 activity, hepatic PI, and lysophosphatidylinositol (LPI) abundance. RESULTS Human NAFLD/NASH decreases MBOAT7 expression and hepatic abundance of arachidonate-containing PI. Murine NASH models display subtle changes in MBOAT7 expression, but significantly decreased activity. After MBOAT7 overexpression, liver weights, triglycerides, and plasma alanine and aspartate transaminase were modestly improved by MBOAT7 overexpression, but NASH histology was not improved. Despite confirmation of increased activity with MBOAT7 overexpression, content of the main arachidonoylated PI species was not rescued by MBOAT7 although the abundance of many PI species was increased. Free arachidonic acid was elevated but the MBOAT7 substrate arachidonoyl-CoA was decreased in NASH livers compared to low-fat controls, likely due to the decreased expression of long-chain acyl-CoA synthetases. CONCLUSION Results suggest decreased MBOAT7 activity plays a role in NASH, but MBOAT7 overexpression fails to measurably improve NASH pathology potentially due to the insufficient abundance of its arachidonoyl-CoA substrate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin C. Sharpe
- Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Kelly D. Pyles
- Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Taylor Hallcox
- Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Dakota R. Kamm
- Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Michaela Piechowski
- Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Bryan Fisk
- McDonnell Genome Institute, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Carolyn J. Albert
- Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | | | - Barbara Ulmasov
- Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - David A. Ford
- Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Brent A. Neuschwander-Tetri
- Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Kyle S. McCommis
- Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
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11
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Plasma Metabolite Signatures in Male Carriers of Genetic Variants Associated with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. Metabolites 2023; 13:metabo13020267. [PMID: 36837886 PMCID: PMC9964056 DOI: 10.3390/metabo13020267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Both genetic and non-genetic factors are important in the pathophysiology of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The aim of our study was to identify novel metabolites and pathways associated with NAFLD by including both genetic and non-genetic factors in statistical analyses. We genotyped six genetic variants in the PNPLA3, TM6SF2, MBOAT7, GCKR, PPP1R3B, and HSD17B13 genes reported to be associated with NAFLD. Non-targeted metabolomic profiling was performed from plasma samples. We applied a previously validated fatty liver index to identify participants with NAFLD. First, we associated the six genetic variants with 1098 metabolites in 2 339 men without NAFLD to determine the effects of the genetic variants on metabolites, and then in 2 535 men with NAFLD to determine the joint effects of genetic variants and non-genetic factors on metabolites. We identified several novel metabolites and metabolic pathways, especially for PNPLA3, GCKR, and PPP1R38 variants relevant to the pathophysiology of NAFLD. Importantly, we showed that each genetic variant for NAFLD had a specific metabolite signature. The plasma metabolite signature was unique for each genetic variant, suggesting that several metabolites and different pathways are involved in the risk of NAFLD. The FLI index reliably identifies metabolites for NAFLD in large population-based studies.
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12
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Varadharajan V, Massey WJ, Brown JM. Membrane-bound O-acyltransferase 7 (MBOAT7)-driven phosphatidylinositol remodeling in advanced liver disease. J Lipid Res 2022; 63:100234. [PMID: 35636492 PMCID: PMC9240865 DOI: 10.1016/j.jlr.2022.100234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Revised: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Advanced liver diseases account for approximately 2 million deaths annually worldwide. Roughly, half of liver disease-associated deaths arise from complications of cirrhosis and the other half driven by viral hepatitis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Unfortunately, the development of therapeutic strategies to treat subjects with advanced liver disease has been hampered by a lack of mechanistic understanding of liver disease progression and a lack of human-relevant animal models. An important advance has been made within the past several years, as several genome-wide association studies have discovered that an SNP near the gene encoding membrane-bound O-acyltransferase 7 (MBOAT7) is associated with severe liver diseases. This common MBOAT7 variant (rs641738, C>T), which reduces MBOAT7 expression, confers increased susceptibility to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, alcohol-associated liver disease, and liver fibrosis in patients chronically infected with viral hepatitis. Recent studies in mice also show that Mboat7 loss of function can promote hepatic steatosis, inflammation, and fibrosis, causally linking this phosphatidylinositol remodeling enzyme to liver health in both rodents and humans. Herein, we review recent insights into the mechanisms by which MBOAT7-driven phosphatidylinositol remodeling influences liver disease progression and discuss how rapid progress in this area could inform drug discovery moving forward.
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Affiliation(s)
- Venkateshwari Varadharajan
- Department of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Sciences, Lerner Research Institute Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA; Center for Microbiome and Human Health, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - William J Massey
- Department of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Sciences, Lerner Research Institute Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA; Center for Microbiome and Human Health, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - J Mark Brown
- Department of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Sciences, Lerner Research Institute Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA; Center for Microbiome and Human Health, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA.
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13
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Comparison of the Lipidomic Signature of Fatty Liver in Children and Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 2022; 74:734-741. [PMID: 35185113 PMCID: PMC7613028 DOI: 10.1097/mpg.0000000000003418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/10/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is an increasingly common condition in children characterised by insulin resistance and altered lipid metabolism. Affected patients are at increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and children with NAFLD are likely to be at risk of premature cardiac events. Evaluation of the plasma lipid profile of children with NAFLD offers the opportunity to investigate these perturbations and understand how closely they mimic the changes seen in adults with cardiometabolic disease. METHODS We performed untargeted liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) plasma lipidomics on 287 children: 19 lean controls, 146 from an obese cohort, and 122 NAFLD cases who had undergone liver biopsy. Associations between lipid species and liver histology were assessed using regression adjusted for age and sex. Results were then replicated using data from 9500 adults with metabolic phenotyping. RESULTS More severe paediatric NAFLD was associated with lower levels of long chain, polyunsaturated phosphatidylcholines (pC) and triglycerides (TG). Similar trends in pC and TG chain length and saturation were seen in adults with hepatic steatosis; however, many of the specific lipids associated with NAFLD differed between children and adults. Five lipids replicated in adults (including PC(36:4)) have been directly linked to death and cardiometabolic disease, as well as indirectly via genetic variants. CONCLUSION These findings suggest that, whilst similar pathways of lipid metabolism are perturbed in paediatric NAFLD as in cardiometabolic disease in adults, the specific lipid signature in children is different.
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14
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Speliotes EK, George J. Metabolic and genetic contributions to NAFLD: Really distinct and homogeneous? J Hepatol 2022; 76:498-500. [PMID: 34979132 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2021.12.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2021] [Accepted: 12/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth K Speliotes
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
| | - Jacob George
- Storr Liver Centre, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Westmead Hospital and University of Sydney, NSW 2145, Australia.
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15
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Luukkonen PK, Qadri S, Ahlholm N, Porthan K, Männistö V, Sammalkorpi H, Penttilä AK, Hakkarainen A, Lehtimäki TE, Gaggini M, Gastaldelli A, Ala-Korpela M, Orho-Melander M, Arola J, Juuti A, Pihlajamäki J, Hodson L, Yki-Järvinen H. Distinct contributions of metabolic dysfunction and genetic risk factors in the pathogenesis of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. J Hepatol 2022; 76:526-535. [PMID: 34710482 PMCID: PMC8852745 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2021.10.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 38.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Revised: 10/09/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS There is substantial inter-individual variability in the risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Part of which is explained by insulin resistance (IR) ('MetComp') and part by common modifiers of genetic risk ('GenComp'). We examined how IR on the one hand and genetic risk on the other contribute to the pathogenesis of NAFLD. METHODS We studied 846 individuals: 492 were obese patients with liver histology and 354 were individuals who underwent intrahepatic triglyceride measurement by proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy. A genetic risk score was calculated using the number of risk alleles in PNPLA3, TM6SF2, MBOAT7, HSD17B13 and MARC1. Substrate concentrations were assessed by serum NMR metabolomics. In subsets of participants, non-esterified fatty acids (NEFAs) and their flux were assessed by D5-glycerol and hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp (n = 41), and hepatic de novo lipogenesis (DNL) was measured by D2O (n = 61). RESULTS We found that substrate surplus (increased concentrations of 28 serum metabolites including glucose, glycolytic intermediates, and amino acids; increased NEFAs and their flux; increased DNL) characterized the 'MetComp'. In contrast, the 'GenComp' was not accompanied by any substrate excess but was characterized by an increased hepatic mitochondrial redox state, as determined by serum β-hydroxybutyrate/acetoacetate ratio, and inhibition of hepatic pathways dependent on tricarboxylic acid cycle activity, such as DNL. Serum β-hydroxybutyrate/acetoacetate ratio correlated strongly with all histological features of NAFLD. IR and hepatic mitochondrial redox state conferred additive increases in histological features of NAFLD. CONCLUSIONS These data show that the mechanisms underlying 'Metabolic' and 'Genetic' components of NAFLD are fundamentally different. These findings may have implications with respect to the diagnosis and treatment of NAFLD. LAY SUMMARY The pathogenesis of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease can be explained in part by a metabolic component, including obesity, and in part by a genetic component. Herein, we demonstrate that the mechanisms underlying these components are fundamentally different: the metabolic component is characterized by hepatic oversupply of substrates, such as sugars, lipids and amino acids. In contrast, the genetic component is characterized by impaired hepatic mitochondrial function, making the liver less able to metabolize these substrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panu K Luukkonen
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA; Department of Medicine, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Finland; Minerva Foundation Institute for Medical Research, Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Sami Qadri
- Department of Medicine, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Finland; Minerva Foundation Institute for Medical Research, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Noora Ahlholm
- Department of Medicine, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Finland; Minerva Foundation Institute for Medical Research, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Kimmo Porthan
- Department of Medicine, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Finland; Minerva Foundation Institute for Medical Research, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Ville Männistö
- Department of Medicine, University of Eastern Finland and Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Henna Sammalkorpi
- Department of Abdominal Surgery, Abdominal Center, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Finland
| | - Anne K Penttilä
- Department of Abdominal Surgery, Abdominal Center, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Finland
| | - Antti Hakkarainen
- Department of Radiology, HUS Medical Imaging Center, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Finland; Department of Neuroscience and Biomedical Engineering, Aalto University School of Science, Espoo, Finland
| | - Tiina E Lehtimäki
- Department of Radiology, HUS Medical Imaging Center, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Finland
| | | | | | - Mika Ala-Korpela
- Computational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oulu and Biocenter Oulu, Finland; Center for Life Course Health Research, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland; University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland; NMR Metabolomics Laboratory, School of Pharmacy, University of Eastern Finland and Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Marju Orho-Melander
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Diabetes and Endocrinology, University Hospital Malmö, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Johanna Arola
- Department of Pathology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Finland
| | - Anne Juuti
- Department of Abdominal Surgery, Abdominal Center, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Finland
| | - Jussi Pihlajamäki
- Institute of Public Health and Clinical Nutrition, University of Eastern Finland and Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland; Department of Medicine, Endocrinology and Clinical Nutrition, University of Eastern Finland and Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Leanne Hodson
- Oxford Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, University of Oxford & NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Oxford University Hospitals Foundation Trust, UK
| | - Hannele Yki-Järvinen
- Department of Medicine, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Finland; Minerva Foundation Institute for Medical Research, Helsinki, Finland.
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16
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Therapeutic RNA-silencing oligonucleotides in metabolic diseases. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2022; 21:417-439. [PMID: 35210608 DOI: 10.1038/s41573-022-00407-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Recent years have seen unprecedented activity in the development of RNA-silencing oligonucleotide therapeutics for metabolic diseases. Improved oligonucleotide design and optimization of synthetic nucleic acid chemistry, in combination with the development of highly selective and efficient conjugate delivery technology platforms, have established and validated oligonucleotides as a new class of drugs. To date, there are five marketed oligonucleotide therapies, with many more in clinical studies, for both rare and common liver-driven metabolic diseases. Here, we provide an overview of recent developments in the field of oligonucleotide therapeutics in metabolism, review past and current clinical trials, and discuss ongoing challenges and possible future developments.
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17
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Haas ME, Pirruccello JP, Friedman SN, Wang M, Emdin CA, Ajmera VH, Simon TG, Homburger JR, Guo X, Budoff M, Corey KE, Zhou AY, Philippakis A, Ellinor PT, Loomba R, Batra P, Khera AV. Machine learning enables new insights into genetic contributions to liver fat accumulation. CELL GENOMICS 2021; 1:100066. [PMID: 34957434 PMCID: PMC8699145 DOI: 10.1016/j.xgen.2021.100066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Excess liver fat, called hepatic steatosis, is a leading risk factor for end-stage liver disease and cardiometabolic diseases but often remains undiagnosed in clinical practice because of the need for direct imaging assessments. We developed an abdominal MRI-based machine-learning algorithm to accurately estimate liver fat (correlation coefficients, 0.97-0.99) from a truth dataset of 4,511 middle-aged UK Biobank participants, enabling quantification in 32,192 additional individuals. 17% of participants had predicted liver fat levels indicative of steatosis, and liver fat could not have been reliably estimated based on clinical factors such as BMI. A genome-wide association study of common genetic variants and liver fat replicated three known associations and identified five newly associated variants in or near the MTARC1, ADH1B, TRIB1, GPAM, and MAST3 genes (p < 3 × 10-8). A polygenic score integrating these eight genetic variants was strongly associated with future risk of chronic liver disease (hazard ratio > 1.32 per SD score, p < 9 × 10-17). Rare inactivating variants in the APOB or MTTP genes were identified in 0.8% of individuals with steatosis and conferred more than 6-fold risk (p < 2 × 10-5), highlighting a molecular subtype of hepatic steatosis characterized by defective secretion of apolipoprotein B-containing lipoproteins. We demonstrate that our imaging-based machine-learning model accurately estimates liver fat and may be useful in epidemiological and genetic studies of hepatic steatosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary E. Haas
- Program in Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA,Department of Molecular Biology, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - James P. Pirruccello
- Program in Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA,Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA,Cardiology Division, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA,Machine Learning for Health, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Samuel N. Friedman
- Machine Learning for Health, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Minxian Wang
- Program in Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Connor A. Emdin
- Program in Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA,Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Veeral H. Ajmera
- NAFLD Research Center, Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92103, USA
| | - Tracey G. Simon
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA,Liver Center, Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | | | - Xiuqing Guo
- The Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation and Department of Pediatrics, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA 90502, USA
| | - Matthew Budoff
- The Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation and Department of Pediatrics, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA 90502, USA
| | - Kathleen E. Corey
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA,Liver Center, Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | | | - Anthony Philippakis
- Machine Learning for Health, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA,Eric and Wendy Schmidt Center, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Patrick T. Ellinor
- Program in Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA,Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA,Cardiology Division, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA,Machine Learning for Health, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Rohit Loomba
- NAFLD Research Center, Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92103, USA
| | - Puneet Batra
- Machine Learning for Health, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Amit V. Khera
- Program in Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA,Center for Genomic Medicine, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA,Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA,Cardiology Division, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA,Machine Learning for Health, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA,Corresponding author
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18
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Qu W, Ma T, Cai J, Zhang X, Zhang P, She Z, Wan F, Li H. Liver Fibrosis and MAFLD: From Molecular Aspects to Novel Pharmacological Strategies. Front Med (Lausanne) 2021; 8:761538. [PMID: 34746195 PMCID: PMC8568774 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2021.761538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is a new disease definition, and this nomenclature MAFLD was proposed to renovate its former name, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). MAFLD/NAFLD have shared and predominate causes from nutrition overload to persistent liver damage and eventually lead to the development of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. Unfortunately, there is an absence of effective treatments to reverse MAFLD/NAFLD-associated fibrosis. Due to the significant burden of MAFLD/NAFLD and its complications, there are active investigations on the development of novel targets and pharmacotherapeutics for treating this disease. In this review, we cover recent discoveries in new targets and molecules for antifibrotic treatment, which target pathways intertwined with the fibrogenesis process, including lipid metabolism, inflammation, cell apoptosis, oxidative stress, and extracellular matrix formation. Although marked advances have been made in the development of antifibrotic therapeutics, none of the treatments have achieved the endpoints evaluated by liver biopsy or without significant side effects in a large-scale trial. In addition to the discovery of new druggable targets and pharmacotherapeutics, personalized medication, and combinatorial therapies targeting multiple profibrotic pathways could be promising in achieving successful antifibrotic interventions in patients with MAFLD/NAFLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiyi Qu
- Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.,Institute of Model Animal, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Tengfei Ma
- Institute of Model Animal, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.,Department of Neurology, Huanggang Central Hospital, Huanggang, China.,Huanggang Institute of Translational Medicine, Huanggang Central Hospital, Huanggang, China
| | - Jingjing Cai
- Institute of Model Animal, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.,Department of Cardiology, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xiaojing Zhang
- Institute of Model Animal, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.,School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Peng Zhang
- Institute of Model Animal, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.,School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhigang She
- Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.,Institute of Model Animal, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Feng Wan
- Department of Neurology, Huanggang Central Hospital, Huanggang, China
| | - Hongliang Li
- Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.,Institute of Model Animal, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.,Huanggang Institute of Translational Medicine, Huanggang Central Hospital, Huanggang, China
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19
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Clària J, Curto A, Moreau R, Colsch B, López-Vicario C, Lozano JJ, Aguilar F, Castelli FA, Fenaille F, Junot C, Zhang I, Vinaixa M, Yanes O, Caraceni P, Trebicka J, Fernández J, Angeli P, Jalan R, Arroyo V. Untargeted lipidomics uncovers lipid signatures that distinguish severe from moderate forms of acutely decompensated cirrhosis. J Hepatol 2021; 75:1116-1127. [PMID: 34245803 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2021.06.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2020] [Revised: 06/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Acute decompensation (AD) of cirrhosis is a heterogeneous clinical entity associated with moderate mortality. In some patients, this condition develops quickly into the more deadly acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF), in which other organs such as the kidneys or brain fail. The aim of this study was to characterize the blood lipidome in a large series of patients with cirrhosis and identify specific signatures associated with AD and ACLF development. METHODS Serum untargeted lipidomics was performed in 561 patients with AD (518 without and 43 with ACLF) (discovery cohort) and in 265 patients with AD (128 without and 137 with ACLF) in whom serum samples were available to perform repeated measurements during the 28-day follow-up (validation cohort). Analyses were also performed in 78 patients with AD included in a therapeutic albumin trial (43 patients with compensated cirrhosis and 29 healthy individuals). RESULTS The circulating lipid landscape associated with cirrhosis was characterized by a generalized suppression, which was more manifest during AD and in non-surviving patients. By computing discriminating accuracy and the variable importance projection score for each of the 223 annotated lipids, we identified a sphingomyelin fingerprint specific for AD of cirrhosis and a distinct cholesteryl ester and lysophosphatidylcholine fingerprint for ACLF. Liver dysfunction and infections were the principal net contributors to these fingerprints, which were dynamic and interchangeable between patients with AD whose condition worsened to ACLF and those who improved. Notably, blood lysophosphatidylcholine levels increased in these patients after albumin therapy. CONCLUSIONS Our findings provide insights into the lipid landscape associated with decompensation of cirrhosis and ACLF progression and identify unique non-invasive diagnostic biomarkers of advanced cirrhosis. LAY SUMMARY Analysis of lipids in blood from patients with advanced cirrhosis reveals a general suppression of their levels in the circulation of these patients. A specific group of lipids known as sphingomyelins are useful to distinguish between patients with compensated and decompensated cirrhosis. Another group of lipids designated cholesteryl esters further distinguishes patients with decompensated cirrhosis who are at risk of developing organ failures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joan Clària
- European Foundation for the Study of Chronic Liver Failure (EF Clif) and Grifols Chair, Barcelona, Spain; Hospital Clínic-IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain; Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; CIBERehd, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Anna Curto
- European Foundation for the Study of Chronic Liver Failure (EF Clif) and Grifols Chair, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Richard Moreau
- European Foundation for the Study of Chronic Liver Failure (EF Clif) and Grifols Chair, Barcelona, Spain; Inserm, U1149, Centre de Recherche sur l'Inflammation (CRI); UMRS1149, Université de Paris; Service d'Hépatologie, Hôpital Beaujon, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Clichy, France
| | - Benoit Colsch
- Université Paris Saclay, CEA, INRAE, Médicaments et Technologies pour la Santé (MTS), MetaboHUB, 91191 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Cristina López-Vicario
- European Foundation for the Study of Chronic Liver Failure (EF Clif) and Grifols Chair, Barcelona, Spain; Hospital Clínic-IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Ferran Aguilar
- European Foundation for the Study of Chronic Liver Failure (EF Clif) and Grifols Chair, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Florence A Castelli
- Université Paris Saclay, CEA, INRAE, Médicaments et Technologies pour la Santé (MTS), MetaboHUB, 91191 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - François Fenaille
- Université Paris Saclay, CEA, INRAE, Médicaments et Technologies pour la Santé (MTS), MetaboHUB, 91191 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Christophe Junot
- Université Paris Saclay, CEA, INRAE, Médicaments et Technologies pour la Santé (MTS), MetaboHUB, 91191 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Ingrid Zhang
- European Foundation for the Study of Chronic Liver Failure (EF Clif) and Grifols Chair, Barcelona, Spain; Hospital Clínic-IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Maria Vinaixa
- Metabolomics Platform, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Tarragona, Spain; CIBERdem, Tarragona, Spain
| | - Oscar Yanes
- Metabolomics Platform, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Tarragona, Spain; CIBERdem, Tarragona, Spain
| | | | - Jonel Trebicka
- European Foundation for the Study of Chronic Liver Failure (EF Clif) and Grifols Chair, Barcelona, Spain; JW Goethe University Hospital, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Javier Fernández
- European Foundation for the Study of Chronic Liver Failure (EF Clif) and Grifols Chair, Barcelona, Spain; Hospital Clínic-IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain; CIBERehd, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Paolo Angeli
- European Foundation for the Study of Chronic Liver Failure (EF Clif) and Grifols Chair, Barcelona, Spain; University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Rajiv Jalan
- European Foundation for the Study of Chronic Liver Failure (EF Clif) and Grifols Chair, Barcelona, Spain; UCL Medical School, Royal Free Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Vicente Arroyo
- European Foundation for the Study of Chronic Liver Failure (EF Clif) and Grifols Chair, Barcelona, Spain
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20
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Kelly RS, Stewart ID, Bayne H, Kachroo P, Spiro Iii A, Vokonas P, Sparrow D, Weiss ST, Knihtilä HM, Litonjua AA, Wareham NJ, Langenberg C, Lasky-Su JA. Metabolomic differences in lung function metrics: evidence from two cohorts. Thorax 2021; 77:919-928. [PMID: 34650005 DOI: 10.1136/thoraxjnl-2020-216639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2020] [Accepted: 09/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE The biochemical mechanisms underlying lung function are incompletely understood. OBJECTIVES To identify and validate the plasma metabolome of lung function using two independent adult cohorts: discovery-the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer-Norfolk (EPIC-Norfolk, n=10 460) and validation-the VA Normative Aging Study (NAS) metabolomic cohort (n=437). METHODS We ran linear regression models for 693 metabolites to identify associations with forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and the ratio of FEV1 to forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC), in EPIC-Norfolk then validated significant findings in NAS. Significance in EPIC-Norfolk was denoted using an effective number of tests threshold of 95%; a metabolite was considered validated in NAS if the direction of effect was consistent and p<0.05. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Of 156 metabolites that associated with FEV1 in EPIC-Norfolk after adjustment for age, sex, body mass index, height, smoking and asthma status, 34 (21.8%) validated in NAS, including several metabolites involved in oxidative stress. When restricting the discovery sample to men only, a similar percentage, 18 of 79 significant metabolites (22.8%) were validated. A smaller number of metabolites were validated for FEV1/FVC, 6 of 65 (9.2%) when including all EPIC-Norfolk as the discovery population, and 2 of 34 (5.9%) when restricting to men. These metabolites were characterised by involvement in respiratory track secretants. Interestingly, no metabolites were validated for both FEV1 and FEV1/FVC. CONCLUSIONS The validation of metabolites associated with respiratory function can help to better understand mechanisms of lung health and may assist the development of biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel S Kelly
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Haley Bayne
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Priyadarshini Kachroo
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Avron Spiro Iii
- Massachusetts Veterans Epidemiology Research and Information Center (MAVERIC), 150 South Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02130, USA, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA 02130, USA.,Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02118, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | - Pantel Vokonas
- VA Normative Aging Study, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | - David Sparrow
- VA Normative Aging Study, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | - Scott T Weiss
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Hanna M Knihtilä
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Augusto A Litonjua
- Division of Pediatric Pulmonary Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | | | | | - Jessica A Lasky-Su
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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21
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Im YR, Hunter H, de Gracia Hahn D, Duret A, Cheah Q, Dong J, Fairey M, Hjalmarsson C, Li A, Lim HK, McKeown L, Mitrofan CG, Rao R, Utukuri M, Rowe IA, Mann JP. A Systematic Review of Animal Models of NAFLD Finds High-Fat, High-Fructose Diets Most Closely Resemble Human NAFLD. Hepatology 2021; 74:1884-1901. [PMID: 33973269 DOI: 10.1002/hep.31897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2021] [Revised: 04/29/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Animal models of human disease are a key component of translational hepatology research, yet there is no consensus on which model is optimal for NAFLD. APPROACH AND RESULTS We generated a database of 3,920 rodent models of NAFLD. Study designs were highly heterogeneous, and therefore, few models had been cited more than once. Analysis of genetic models supported the current evidence for the role of adipose dysfunction and suggested a role for innate immunity in the progression of NAFLD. We identified that high-fat, high-fructose diets most closely recapitulate the human phenotype of NAFLD. There was substantial variability in the nomenclature of animal models: a consensus on terminology of specialist diets is needed. More broadly, this analysis demonstrates the variability in preclinical study design, which has wider implications for the reproducibility of in vivo experiments both in the field of hepatology and beyond. CONCLUSIONS This systematic analysis provides a framework for phenotypic assessment of NAFLD models and highlights the need for increased standardization and replication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Ri Im
- School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Harriet Hunter
- School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Dana de Gracia Hahn
- School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Amedine Duret
- School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Qinrong Cheah
- School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Jiawen Dong
- School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Madison Fairey
- School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | | | - Alice Li
- School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Hong Kai Lim
- School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Lorcán McKeown
- School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | | | - Raunak Rao
- School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Mrudula Utukuri
- School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Ian A Rowe
- Leeds Institute for Medical Research and Leeds Institute for Data Analytics, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Jake P Mann
- Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
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22
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Meroni M, Longo M, Tria G, Dongiovanni P. Genetics Is of the Essence to Face NAFLD. Biomedicines 2021; 9:1359. [PMID: 34680476 PMCID: PMC8533437 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9101359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the commonest cause of chronic liver disease worldwide. It is closely related to obesity, insulin resistance (IR) and dyslipidemia so much so it is considered the hepatic manifestation of the Metabolic Syndrome. The NAFLD spectrum extends from simple steatosis to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), a clinical condition which may progress up to fibrosis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). NAFLD is a complex disease whose pathogenesis is shaped by both environmental and genetic factors. In the last two decades, several heritable modifications in genes influencing hepatic lipid remodeling, and mitochondrial oxidative status have been emerged as predictors of progressive hepatic damage. Among them, the patatin-like phospholipase domain-containing 3 (PNPLA3) p.I148M, the Transmembrane 6 superfamily member 2 (TM6SF2) p.E167K and the rs641738 membrane bound-o-acyltransferase domain-containing 7 (MBOAT7) polymorphisms are considered the most robust modifiers of NAFLD. However, a forefront frontier in the study of NAFLD heritability is to postulate score-based strategy, building polygenic risk scores (PRS), which aggregate the most relevant genetic determinants of NAFLD and biochemical parameters, with the purpose to foresee patients with greater risk of severe NAFLD, guaranteeing the most highly predictive value, the best diagnostic accuracy and the more precise individualized therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marica Meroni
- General Medicine and Metabolic Diseases, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Pad. Granelli, Via F Sforza 35, 20122 Milan, Italy; (M.M.); (M.L.); (G.T.)
| | - Miriam Longo
- General Medicine and Metabolic Diseases, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Pad. Granelli, Via F Sforza 35, 20122 Milan, Italy; (M.M.); (M.L.); (G.T.)
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, Università Degli Studi di Milano, 20122 Milano, Italy
| | - Giada Tria
- General Medicine and Metabolic Diseases, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Pad. Granelli, Via F Sforza 35, 20122 Milan, Italy; (M.M.); (M.L.); (G.T.)
| | - Paola Dongiovanni
- General Medicine and Metabolic Diseases, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Pad. Granelli, Via F Sforza 35, 20122 Milan, Italy; (M.M.); (M.L.); (G.T.)
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23
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Bence KK, Birnbaum MJ. Metabolic drivers of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Mol Metab 2021; 50:101143. [PMID: 33346069 PMCID: PMC8324696 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmet.2020.101143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2020] [Revised: 12/02/2020] [Accepted: 12/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The incidence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is rapidly increasing worldwide parallel to the global obesity epidemic. NAFLD encompasses a range of liver pathologies and most often originates from metabolically driven accumulation of fat in the liver, or non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFL). In a subset of NAFL patients, the disease can progress to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which is a more severe form of liver disease characterized by hepatocyte injury, inflammation, and fibrosis. Significant progress has been made over the past decade in our understanding of NASH pathogenesis, but gaps remain in our mechanistic knowledge of the precise metabolic triggers for disease worsening. SCOPE OF REVIEW The transition from NAFL to NASH likely involves a complex constellation of multiple factors intrinsic and extrinsic to the liver. This review focuses on early metabolic events in the establishment of NAFL and initial stages of NASH. We discuss the association of NAFL with obesity as well as the role of adipose tissue in disease progression and highlight early metabolic drivers implicated in the pathological transition from hepatic fat accumulation to steatohepatitis. MAJOR CONCLUSIONS The close association of NAFL with features of metabolic syndrome highlight plausible mechanistic roles for adipose tissue health and the release of lipotoxic lipids, hepatic de novo lipogenesis (DNL), and disruption of the intestinal barrier in not only the initial establishment of hepatic steatosis, but also in mediating disease progression. Human genetic variants linked to NASH risk to date are heavily biased toward genes involved in the regulation of lipid metabolism, providing compelling support for the hypothesis that NASH is fundamentally a metabolic disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kendra K Bence
- Internal Medicine Research Unit, Pfizer Worldwide Research, Development, and Medical, Cambridge, MA, USA.
| | - Morris J Birnbaum
- Internal Medicine Research Unit, Pfizer Worldwide Research, Development, and Medical, Cambridge, MA, USA
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24
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Schneider CV, Schneider KM, Conlon DM, Park J, Vujkovic M, Zandvakili I, Ko YA, Trautwein C, Center R, Carr RM, Strnad P, Thaiss CA, Rader DJ. A genome-first approach to mortality and metabolic phenotypes in MTARC1 p.Ala165Thr (rs2642438) heterozygotes and homozygotes. MED 2021; 2:851-863.e3. [PMID: 34258604 PMCID: PMC8274545 DOI: 10.1016/j.medj.2021.04.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A coding variant in MTARC1 (rs2642438; p.Ala165Thr) was recently associated with protection from cirrhosis in European individuals. However, its impact on overall and cause-specific mortality remained elusive. METHODS Using a genome-first approach, we explored a range of metabolic phenotypes and outcomes associated with MTARC1 p.Ala165Thr in the UKBiobank and the Penn-Medicine BioBank. FINDINGS MTARC1 p.Ala165Thr was significantly associated with higher triglycerides, lower total cholesterol, lower LDL-C, lower ApoB, lower HDL-C, lower ApoA-I and higher IGF-1. Per each minor allele, the risk of NAFLD was reduced by ~15%. The ALT-lowering and NAFLD-protective effect of MTARC1 p.Ala165Thr was amplified by obesity, diabetes mellitus and presence of PNPLA3 rs738409:G. In African-American and Black-British individuals, the allele frequency of MTARC1 p.Ala165Thr was lower, but carriers showed the same distinctive lipid phenotype. Importantly, MTARC1 p.Ala165Thr carriers did not show higher cardiovascular disease burden as evidenced by cardiac MRI and carotid ultrasound. In prospective analyses, the homozygous minor allele was associated with up to 39% lower rates of liver-related mortality, while no risk of increased overall or cardiovascular death could be observed. Strikingly, liver-related mortality was more than 50% reduced in diabetic participants or carriers of PNPLA3 rs738409:G. CONCLUSIONS Together these data highlight MTARC1 as an important liver disease modifier that influences plasma lipids in an allele-dose-dependent manner without increasing cardiovascular outcomes. Our results point toward potential mechanisms and reveal a remarkable association with liver-related mortality calling for future studies exploring its therapeutic potential. FUNDING This study was funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG).
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolin V. Schneider
- Division of Translational Medicine and Human Genetics, The Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Kai Markus Schneider
- Department of Microbiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Institute for Immunology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Institute for Diabetes, Obesity, and Metabolism, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Donna M. Conlon
- Division of Translational Medicine and Human Genetics, The Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Joseph Park
- Division of Translational Medicine and Human Genetics, The Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Marijana Vujkovic
- Division of Translational Medicine and Human Genetics, The Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Inuk Zandvakili
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Yi-An Ko
- Division of Translational Medicine and Human Genetics, The Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Christian Trautwein
- Medical Clinic III, Gastroenterology, Metabolic diseases and Intensive Care, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, 52072 Aachen, Germany
| | | | - Rotonya M. Carr
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Pavel Strnad
- Medical Clinic III, Gastroenterology, Metabolic diseases and Intensive Care, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, 52072 Aachen, Germany
| | - Christoph A. Thaiss
- Department of Microbiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Institute for Immunology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Institute for Diabetes, Obesity, and Metabolism, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Daniel J. Rader
- Division of Translational Medicine and Human Genetics, The Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Department of Genetics, The Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
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25
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Teo K, Abeysekera KWM, Adams L, Aigner E, Anstee QM, Banales JM, Banerjee R, Basu P, Berg T, Bhatnagar P, Buch S, Canbay A, Caprio S, Chatterjee A, Ida Chen YD, Chowdhury A, Daly AK, Datz C, de Gracia Hahn D, DiStefano JK, Dong J, Duret A, Emdin C, Fairey M, Gerhard GS, Guo X, Hampe J, Hickman M, Heintz L, Hudert C, Hunter H, Kelly M, Kozlitina J, Krawczyk M, Lammert F, Langenberg C, Lavine J, Li L, Lim HK, Loomba R, Luukkonen PK, Melton PE, Mori TA, Palmer ND, Parisinos CA, Pillai SG, Qayyum F, Reichert MC, Romeo S, Rotter JI, Im YR, Santoro N, Schafmayer C, Speliotes EK, Stender S, Stickel F, Still CD, Strnad P, Taylor KD, Tybjærg-Hansen A, Umano GR, Utukuri M, Valenti L, Wagenknecht LE, Wareham NJ, Watanabe RM, Wattacheril J, Yaghootkar H, Yki-Järvinen H, Young KA, Mann JP. rs641738C>T near MBOAT7 is associated with liver fat, ALT and fibrosis in NAFLD: A meta-analysis. J Hepatol 2021; 74:20-30. [PMID: 32882372 PMCID: PMC7755037 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2020.08.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2020] [Revised: 07/29/2020] [Accepted: 08/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS A common genetic variant near MBOAT7 (rs641738C>T) has been previously associated with hepatic fat and advanced histology in NAFLD; however, these findings have not been consistently replicated in the literature. We aimed to establish whether rs641738C>T is a risk factor across the spectrum of NAFLD and to characterise its role in the regulation of related metabolic phenotypes through a meta-analysis. METHODS We performed a meta-analysis of studies with data on the association between rs641738C>T genotype and liver fat, NAFLD histology, and serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), lipids or insulin. These included directly genotyped studies and population-level data from genome-wide association studies (GWAS). We performed a random effects meta-analysis using recessive, additive and dominant genetic models. RESULTS Data from 1,066,175 participants (9,688 with liver biopsies) across 42 studies were included in the meta-analysis. rs641738C>T was associated with higher liver fat on CT/MRI (+0.03 standard deviations [95% CI 0.02-0.05], pz = 4.8×10-5) and diagnosis of NAFLD (odds ratio [OR] 1.17 [95% CI 1.05-1.3], pz = 0.003) in Caucasian adults. The variant was also positively associated with presence of advanced fibrosis (OR 1.22 [95% CI 1.03-1.45], pz = 0.021) in Caucasian adults using a recessive model of inheritance (CC + CT vs. TT). Meta-analysis of data from previous GWAS found the variant to be associated with higher ALT (pz = 0.002) and lower serum triglycerides (pz = 1.5×10-4). rs641738C>T was not associated with fasting insulin and no effect was observed in children with NAFLD. CONCLUSIONS Our study validates rs641738C>T near MBOAT7 as a risk factor for the presence and severity of NAFLD in individuals of European descent. LAY SUMMARY Fatty liver disease is a common condition where fat builds up in the liver, which can cause liver inflammation and scarring (including 'cirrhosis'). It is closely linked to obesity and diabetes, but some genes are also thought to be important. We did this study to see whether one specific change ('variant') in one gene ('MBOAT7') was linked to fatty liver disease. We took data from over 40 published studies and found that this variant near MBOAT7 is linked to more severe fatty liver disease. This means that drugs designed to work on MBOAT7 could be useful for treating fatty liver disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Teo
- School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - Leon Adams
- Medical School, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia; Department of Hepatology, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Elmar Aigner
- First Department of Medicine, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Austria
| | - Quentin M Anstee
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK; Newcastle NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Jesus M Banales
- Department on Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases, Biodonostia Health Research Institute, Donostia University Hospital, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), CIBERehd, Ikerbasque, San Sebastian, Spain
| | | | | | - Thomas Berg
- Division of Hepatology, Department of Medicine II, Leipzig University Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
| | | | - Stephan Buch
- Medical Department 1, University Hospital Dresden, Technische Universität Dresden (TU Dresden), Dresden, Germany
| | - Ali Canbay
- Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Infectiology, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Sonia Caprio
- Yale University, Department of Pediatrics, New Haven, CT, USA
| | | | - Yii-Der Ida Chen
- The Institute for Translational Genomics and Population Sciences, Department of Pediatrics, The Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA, USA
| | - Abhijit Chowdhury
- Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education and Research, Kolkata, India
| | - Ann K Daly
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Christian Datz
- Department of Internal Medicine, General Hospital Oberndorf, Teaching Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Oberndorf, Austria
| | | | - Johanna K DiStefano
- Diabetes and Fibrotic Disease Unit Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen), Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - Jiawen Dong
- School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Amedine Duret
- School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Connor Emdin
- Program in Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Madison Fairey
- School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Glenn S Gerhard
- Department of Medical Genetics and Molecular Biochemistry, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Xiuqing Guo
- The Institute for Translational Genomics and Population Sciences, Department of Pediatrics, The Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA, USA
| | - Jochen Hampe
- Medical Department 1, University Hospital Dresden, Technische Universität Dresden (TU Dresden), Dresden, Germany
| | - Matthew Hickman
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit (IEU), University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - Lena Heintz
- Department of Medicine II, Saarland University Medical Center, Saarland University, Homburg, Germany
| | - Christian Hudert
- Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Harriet Hunter
- School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - Julia Kozlitina
- Eugene McDermott Center for Human Growth and Development, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Marcin Krawczyk
- Department of Medicine II, Saarland University Medical Center, Saarland University, Homburg, Germany; Laboratory of Metabolic Liver Diseases, Department of General, Transplant and Liver Surgery, Centre for Preclinical Research, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Frank Lammert
- Department of Medicine II, Saarland University Medical Center, Saarland University, Homburg, Germany
| | - Claudia Langenberg
- MRC Epidemiology Unit, Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Joel Lavine
- Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Lin Li
- BioStat Solutions LLC, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Hong Kai Lim
- School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Rohit Loomba
- NAFLD Research Center, Division of Gastroenterology and Epidemiology, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Panu K Luukkonen
- Minerva Foundation Institute for Medical Research, Helsinki, Finland; Department of Medicine, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland; Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Phillip E Melton
- School of Global Population Health, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia; School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia; Menzies Institute for Medical Research, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
| | - Trevor A Mori
- Medical School, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Nicholette D Palmer
- Department of Biochemistry, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Constantinos A Parisinos
- Institute of Health Informatics, Faculty of Population Health Sciences, University College London, London, UK
| | | | - Faiza Qayyum
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Rigshospitalet Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Matthias C Reichert
- Department of Medicine II, Saarland University Medical Center, Saarland University, Homburg, Germany
| | - Stefano Romeo
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden; Cardiology Department, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden; Clinical Nutrition Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University Magna Graecia, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Jerome I Rotter
- The Institute for Translational Genomics and Population Sciences, Department of Pediatrics, The Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA, USA
| | - Yu Ri Im
- School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Nicola Santoro
- Yale University, Department of Pediatrics, New Haven, CT, USA; Department of Medicine and Health Sciences 'V. Tiberio' University of Molise, Campobasso, Italy
| | - Clemens Schafmayer
- Department of Visceral and Thoracic Surgery, Kiel University, Kiel, Germany
| | - Elizabeth K Speliotes
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Stefan Stender
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Rigshospitalet Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Felix Stickel
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospital of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | - Pavel Strnad
- Medical Clinic III, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Kent D Taylor
- The Institute for Translational Genomics and Population Sciences, Department of Pediatrics, The Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA, USA
| | - Anne Tybjærg-Hansen
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Rigshospitalet Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Giuseppina Rosaria Umano
- Yale University, Department of Pediatrics, New Haven, CT, USA; Department of the Woman, the Child, of General and Specialized Surgery, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy
| | - Mrudula Utukuri
- School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Luca Valenti
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy; Translational Medicine, Department of Transfusion Medicine and Hematology, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Lynne E Wagenknecht
- Division of Public Health Sciences, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Nicholas J Wareham
- MRC Epidemiology Unit, Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Richard M Watanabe
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Julia Wattacheril
- Department of Medicine, Center for Liver Disease and Transplantation, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY, USA
| | - Hanieh Yaghootkar
- Genetics of Complex Traits, College of Medicine and Health, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Hannele Yki-Järvinen
- Minerva Foundation Institute for Medical Research, Helsinki, Finland; Department of Medicine, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Kendra A Young
- Department of Epidemiology, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Jake P Mann
- MRC Epidemiology Unit, Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
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