Journal Article

Hydroxysteroid 17β‐dehydrogenase 13 (Hsd17b13) knockdown attenuates liver steatosis in high‐fat diet obese mice

Rochford, Justin J., Mcilroy, George D., Thompson, Dawn, Mody, Nimesh, Morrice, Nicola, Wilson, Sophie, Mahmood, Shehroz, Whitfield, Philip D., Milanizadeh, Sara

2025

Overview

Hydroxysteroid 17β‐dehydrogenase 13 (HSD17B13) loss‐of‐function gene variants are associated with a decreased risk of metabolic dysfunction‐associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). Our RNA‐seq analysis of steatotic liver from obese mice ± fenretinide treatment identified major beneficial effects of fenretinide on expression of hepatic genes including Hsd17b13. We sought to determine the relationship between Hsd17b13 expression and MASLD and to validate it as a therapeutic target by liver‐specific knockdown. Hsd17b13 expression, which is unique to hepatocytes and associated with the lipid droplet, was elevated in multiple models of MASLD and normalised with the prevention of obesity and steatotic liver. Direct, liver‐specific, shRNA‐mediated knockdown of Hsd17b13 (shHsd17b13) in high‐fat diet (HFD)‐obese mice, markedly improved hepatic steatosis with no effect on body weight, adiposity or glycaemia. shHsd17b13 decreased elevated serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), serum fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) levels, and markers of liver fibrosis, for example, expression of Timp2. shHsd17b13 knockdown in HFD‐obese mice and Hsd17b13 overexpression in cells reciprocally regulated expression of lipid metabolism genes, for example, Cd36. Global lipidomic analysis of liver tissue revealed a major decrease in diacylglycerols (e.g. DAG 34:3) with shHsd17b13 expression and an increase in phosphatidylcholines containing polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) for example, phosphatidylcholine (PC) 34:3 and PC 42:10. Expression of key genes involved in phospholipid and PUFA metabolism, for example, Cept1, was also reciprocally regulated suggesting a potential mechanism of Hsd17b13 biological function and role in MASLD. In conclusion, Hsd17b13 knockdown in HFD‐obese adult mice was able to alleviate MASLD via regulation of fatty acid and phospholipid metabolism, thereby confirming HSD17B13 as a genuine therapeutic target for MASLD and the development of liver fibrosis. What is the central question of this study? Hydroxysteroid 17β‐dehydrogenase 13 (HSD17B13) loss‐of‐function gene variants are associated with a decreased risk of metabolic dysfunction‐associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and metabolic dysfunction‐associated steatohepatitis (MASH): what is the relationship between Hsd17b13 expression and MASLD and can HSD17B13 be validated as a therapeutic target by liver‐specific knockdown? What is the main finding and its importance? Liver‐specific shRNA knockdown of Hsd17b13 in obese mice markedly improved hepatic steatosis and markers of liver health, for example, serum alanine aminotransferase and fibroblast growth factor 21 levels. Hsd17b13 influenced the expression of lipid/phospholipid metabolism genes and phosphatidylcholines PC 34:3 and PC 42:10. Our study suggests a mechanism of Hsd17b13's biological function and a strong rationale behind targeting HSD17B13 for MASLD/MASH.

• Publisher: John Wiley & Sons, Inc,John Wiley and Sons Inc,Wiley
• Subject: 17-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases - genetics / Adipose tissue / Alanine transaminase / Alanine Transaminase - blood / Animals / Blood glucose / Body weight / CD36 antigen / Dehydrogenases / Diet, High-Fat / Diglycerides / Fatty Acids - metabolism / Fatty liver / Fatty Liver - genetics / Fatty Liver - physiopathology / fenretinide / Fibroblast Growth Factors - blood / Fibrosis / Gene Knockdown Techniques / Hepatocytes / High fat diet / hydroxysteroid 17β‐dehydrogenase 13 (Hsd17b13) / Lecithin / Lipid metabolism / Liver - metabolism / Liver - physiopathology / Liver cirrhosis / Liver diseases / Loss of Function Mutation / Male / metabolic dysfunction‐associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) / Metabolism / Mice / Mice, Inbred C57BL / Mice, Obese / Obesity / Phosphatidylcholine / Phosphatidylcholines - metabolism / Phospholipids / Phospholipids - metabolism / Polyunsaturated fatty acids / RNA-Seq / Steatosis / Therapeutic targets / Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 2