Neue Erkenntnisse zur Leberfibrose

A new study from GHIE, MHH published in the Journal of Hepatology, reports the discovery of two antifibrotic microRNAs as potential treatment option for liver fibrosis

Liver fibrosis and cirrhosis contribute to millions of deaths, world-wide. Therefore, drugs, which can inhibit the development of liver fibrosis, are urgently needed. The research groups of Professor Amar Deep Sharma and Dr. Asha Balakrishnan from the Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Infectious diseases and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School undertook this challenging task to identify strong and effective regulators of fibrosis. The groups of Prof. Sharma and Dr. Balakrishnan screened for hundreds of small RNA molecules in the last 5 years and discovered two anti-fibrotic drug candidates. These are two small non-coding microRNAs, miR-190b-5p and miR-296-3p. The delivery of both microRNAs in injured livers ameliorated liver fibrosis in pre-clinical models. Dr. Balakrishnan mentions, “The promising therapeutic potential of microRNAs in the inhibition of fibrosis is due to the fact that a single miRNA can regulate multiple genes and pathways involved in the development of fibrosis, and therefore using only two microRNAs for therapy of liver fibrosis is advantageous instead of sequentially or simultaneously modulating several genes”.

Prof. Sharma states, “we are very excited about the anti-fibrotic potential of miR-190b-5p and miR-296-3p, as they can suppress fibrosis in three independent preclinical models, including metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH)-induced fibrosis. Hence, we are very keen to take the next step towards the clinical development of both microRNAs as anti-fibrotic drug”.

In collaboration with Prof. Wedemeyer and the clinical team from the department, the research groups of Professor Amar Deep Sharma and Dr. Asha Balakrishnan showed the dysregulation of both microRNAs in human livers with fibrosis, further pointing to their potential clinical relevance of this discovery. Prof. Wedemeyer who is co-author of the study and the chairperson of the Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Infectious Diseases and Endocrinology, emphasizes further “the identification of microRNAs, miR-190b-5p and miR-296-3p as suppressors of liver fibrosis may pave the way to future development of drugs that can be used for patients in the near future”.

Further details of this study can be found either online in Journal of Hepatolgoy (doi: 10.1016/j.jhep.2024.08.014). Contact: Prof. Amar Deep Sharma (sharma.amar@mh-hannover.de)  and Dr. Asha Balakrishnan (Balakrishnan.asha@mh-hannover.de)