NASH Target Development Service for Other Microbiome Agents

Increasing studies have shown microbiome participates in the pathological processes of Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) via various mechanisms, such as inducing liver inflammation and increasing fat accumulation in life. Hence microbiome can be regarded as potential therapeutic targets for NASH. Creative Biolabs is very proud of providing first-class target screening, structural characterization, and functional profiling services for the identification of potential drug targets.

Role of Microbiome in NASH

Microbiome is regarded as an ecosystem which consists of bacteria, archaea, protists, fungi, and viruses. Increasing data suggest that microbiome is present in the human gut and functions in a variety of physiological and pathological processes. For example, gut microbiota actively participates in the digestion of food and the body’s immune responses and also contributes to the pathological process of certain diseases such as metabolic syndrome and NAFLD. Some studies indicate that the bacterial composition and distinct taxa of gut are significantly associated with the pathogenesis of NAFLD or NASH. Compared to healthy individuals, the abundance of bacterial species, such as Proteobacteria, Enterobacteria, and Escherichia, or Bacteroides is higher in patients with NASH. Potential mechanisms for the regulation of NAFLD and NASH by intestinal microbiota may include probiotic bacteria and their derived products translocating into the liver through an impaired intestinal barrier, triggering an inflammatory response in the intestinal barrier, and inducing steatosis in combination with dietary factors or through metabolite-induced interplays.

Fig.1 Pattern diagram featuring gut permeability, bacterial translocation, and TLR signaling in NAFLD/NASH. (Kolodziejczyk, 2018)

Microbiome as a Therapeutic Target for NAFLD and NASH

The gut microbiota affects hepatic carbohydrate and lipid metabolism as well as influences the balance between pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory effectors in the liver, thereby impacting NAFLD and its progression to NASH, which suggests gut microbial are very important for the diagnosis or therapy of NASH. Furthermore, intestinal microbiota is also regarded as a potential therapeutic target for NAFLD and NASH. The therapeutic strategy targeting intestinal microbiota aims to alter the contribution and component of gut microbiota, thereby attenuating the disease pathogenesis. Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has been shown to relieve high-fat diet-induced NASH in mice via beneficial regulation of gut microbiota. Butyrate, a short-chain fatty acid (SCFA), was effectively decreased lipid accumulation and liver inflammation in animal NAFLD models through regulation of gut microbiota and gut barrier function, suppression of inflammatory pathways, and reducing inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) induction.

Equipped with an experienced expert team and advanced technologies, Creative Biolabs has become a world-leading service provider for the development of drug targeting various diseases. We can offer the first-in-class drug target screening, identification, and functional profiling services. We also provide antibody development service (e.g. Phage Display & Antibody Library Services, Antibody Analysis Services, Antibody Engineering Services) or the one-stop service of drug discovery. If you are interested in our services, please don’t hesitate to contact us for more details.

Reference

1. Kolodziejczyk, A.A.; et al. The role of the microbiome in NAFLD and NASH. EMBO Molecular Medicine. 2018, 11(2): e9302.