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Lindén D, Romeo S. Therapeutic opportunities for the treatment of NASH with genetically validated targets. J Hepatol 2023; 79:1056-1064. [PMID: 37207913 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2023.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2023] [Revised: 04/29/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
The identification of genetic variants associated with fatty liver disease (FLD) from genome-wide association studies started in 2008 when single nucleotide polymorphisms in PNPLA3, the gene encoding patatin-like phospholipase domain-containing 3, were found to be associated with altered hepatic fat content. Since then, several genetic variants associated with protection from, or an increased risk of, FLD have been identified. The identification of these variants has provided insight into the metabolic pathways that cause FLD and enabled the identification of potential therapeutic targets. In this mini-review, we will examine the therapeutic opportunities derived from genetically validated targets in FLD, including oligonucleotide-based therapies targeting PNPLA3 and HSD17B13 that are currently being evaluated in clinical trials for the treatment of NASH (non-alcoholic steatohepatitis).
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Lindén
- Bioscience Metabolism, Research and Early Development Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolism (CVRM), BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden; Division of Endocrinology, Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sweden.
| | - Stefano Romeo
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, Wallenberg Laboratory, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden; Department of Cardiology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden; Clinical Nutrition Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University Magna Graecia, Catanzaro, Italy.
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Sohal A, Chaudhry H, Kowdley KV. Genetic Markers Predisposing to Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis. Clin Liver Dis 2023; 27:333-352. [PMID: 37024211 DOI: 10.1016/j.cld.2023.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/08/2023]
Abstract
The growing prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has sparked interest in understanding genetics and epigenetics associated with the development and progression of the disease. A better understanding of the genetic factors related to progression will be beneficial in the risk stratification of patients. These genetic markers can also serve as potential therapeutic targets in the future. In this review, we focus on the genetic markers associated with the progression and severity of NAFLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aalam Sohal
- Liver Institute Northwest, 3216 Northeast 45th Place Suite 212, Seattle, WA 98105, USA
| | - Hunza Chaudhry
- Department of Internal Medicine, UCSF Fresno, 155 North Fresno Street, Fresno, CA 93722, USA
| | - Kris V Kowdley
- Liver Institute Northwest, 3216 Northeast 45th Place Suite 212, Seattle, WA 98105, USA; Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine, Washington State University, WA, USA.
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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: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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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