FGF21 mimetic agonist antibody bFKB1 attenuates pre-existent metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis and atherosclerosis in Ldlr-/-.Leiden mice
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ABSTRACT: - Background: Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) is considered a promising target for treatment of obesity-associated metabolic diseases including metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) and atherosclerosis. Here, we evaluated the effects of a humanized bispecific anti-FGFR1/KLB agonist antibody (bFKB1) that specifically targets FGFR1c and β-klotho, in a translational preclinical model that develops MASH and atherosclerosis. - Methods: Ldlr-/-.Leiden mice were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) for 20 weeks, after which mice were treated with an isotype control antibody or bFKB1 for 12 weeks. Effects on pre-existent MASH and atherosclerosis were assessed histopathologically and biochemically. Underlying mechanisms of bFKB1 treatment were investigated by hepatic transcriptomics analysis (NGS). Results: bFKB1 lowered body weight and adipose tissue mass without reducing food intake. bFKB1 intervention reduced plasma insulin, cholesterol, triglycerides, ALT and liver weight. liver steatosis, inflammation and NAS score were significantly lowered. Histological measurement of fibrosis was not significantly affected by the treatment, but new collagen formation was significantly inhibited by bFKB1. Correspondingly, hepatic inflammatory and profibrotic transcriptional programs were broadly inactivated by the treatment. In epididymal white adipose tissue, bFKB1 intervention reduced adipocyte size and inflammation and induced browning, signified by increased UCP1 expression. In the vasculature, bFKB1 had anti-atherogenic effects, lowering total atherosclerotic lesion area, that could be attributed to a reduction In severe type V lesions. - Conclusion: The bispecific anti-FGFR1/KLB agonist antibody bFKB1 has strong beneficial metabolic effects in HFD-fed Ldlr-/-.Leiden mice that are associated with a reduction in liver steatosis, inflammation and atherosclerosis. Liver fibrosis was not affected, yet analysis of new collagen formation and profibrotic transcriptional programs indicate that bFKB1 treatment may have antifibrotic potential in a longer treatment duration, consistent with a recent clinical study using a FGF21 mimetic.
ORGANISM(S): Mus musculus
PROVIDER: GSE255321 | GEO | 2025/01/01
REPOSITORIES: GEO
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