An antibody called bFKB1 improves liver disease and atherosclerosis in a mouse model of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), which is associated with obesity. The antibody also decreased body weight and improved inflammation and insulin sensitivity. Learning how the antibody exerts these effects could someday lead to development of a new drug to fight MASH, according to research that was published in The FASEB Journal .
MASH is a complication of metabolic syndrome in which fat builds up in the liver. It is a main cause of liver damage in the U.S.
and can lead to liver scarring and dysfunction. In addition, studies have shown that MASH patients are at high risk for developing atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease . So far, only one drug has been approved by the U.
S. Food and Drug Administration to treat the condition. A promising MASH target is the hormone FGF21.
This molecule reduced body weight and glucose and lipid levels in animal and human trials , and similar molecules called FGF21 analogs also have had positive results. The antibody bFKB1 is one of these analogs. Whereas antibodies typically are inhibitors, this one is an activator, causing similar effects to FGF21.
bFKB1 is more specific than other FGF21 analogs, so it could have less severe side effects . Studying bFKB1 could help researchers develop new and better treatments for MASH. In previous animal tests, bFKB1 improved metabolism and decreased body weight, so José Inia and colleagues .