Targeting the Liver Serine Protease TMPRSS6 Ameliorates Steatosis and Attenuates Fibrosis in Experimental MASLD.

ABSTRACT:

Background and aims

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is the most common cause of liver disease and a leading contributor to liver-related morbidity and mortality. Currently, no pharmacological approach has demonstrated consistent and long-lasting benefits across all patients. Therefore, identifying new therapeutic targets remains an urgent clinical need. The hepatic serine protease matriptase-2, encoded by TMPRSS6, inhibits the BMP-SMAD pathway. Interestingly, reduced BMP-SMAD signalling in the liver is frequently associated with altered lipid metabolism in patients. Conversely, inactivation of Tmprss6 has been linked to reduced high-fat diet-induced obesity. Based on these findings, we hypothesize that TMPRSS6 represents a novel and promising target

SUBMITTER: Pettinato M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12159589 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature