Research from the lab of Jason Kim, PhD, professor of molecular medicine and medicine, identified a novel pathway in the progression of metabolic liver disease that could be targeted for potential therapies.
The findings, published in Nature Communications, describe how the circulating protein interferon-γ, which is higher in people with obesity, causes inflammation. By blocking this pathway, Dr. Kim and colleagues were able to protect animal models from developing metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH).
“The liver can normally store some fat, but something about that process is where inflammation develops,” said Kim. “That’s what leads to this pathogenic disease progression. We think that we found a way to stop that from happening.”
MASH, the more severe form of metabolic liver disease, is characterized by inflammation, insulin resistance and liver scarring (fibrosis). Thirty percent of people over age 60 and three out of four of people with obesity have metabolic liver disease, signifying a pressing global health issue. Despite its prevalence, only one drug has recently been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for treating it.
