A comparative genomic study across 396 liver biopsies provides deep insight into FGF21 mode of action as a therapeutic agent in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease

Shifang Tang , Jürgen Borlak

Clinical and Translational Medicine ›› 2025, Vol. 15 ›› Issue (2) : e70218

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Clinical and Translational Medicine ›› 2025, Vol. 15 ›› Issue (2) : e70218 DOI: 10.1002/ctm2.70218
RESEARCH ARTICLE

A comparative genomic study across 396 liver biopsies provides deep insight into FGF21 mode of action as a therapeutic agent in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease

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Abstract

•Performed comprehensive genomics across liver biopsies of 396 MASLD patients and identified patients with increased, decreased and unchanged FGF21 expression.

•Used genomic data from FGF21 transgenic, knock-out and animal MASLD models treated with synthetic FGF21 analogues to identify FGF21-mode-of-action and metabolic networks in human MASLD.

•Given the significant heterogeneity in FGF21 expression, not all patients will benefit from FGF21-based therapies.

Keywords

fibroblast growth factor-21 / fibrosis / inflammation / metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease / metabolism

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Shifang Tang, Jürgen Borlak. A comparative genomic study across 396 liver biopsies provides deep insight into FGF21 mode of action as a therapeutic agent in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease. Clinical and Translational Medicine, 2025, 15(2): e70218 DOI:10.1002/ctm2.70218

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2025 The Author(s). Clinical and Translational Medicine published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of Shanghai Institute of Clinical Bioinformatics.

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