ArticleJournal of lipid research2026
The monoacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 inhibitor VB-85387 reduces MASLD.
Article in Journal of lipid research, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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Abstract
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) arises from the accumulation of triglycerides within the liver. MASLD can advance to metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Monoacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 (MOGAT2) is essential for triglyceride synthesis and plays a significant role in regulating lipid metabolism. Here, we demonstrate the ability of a new human MOGAT2 inhibitor, VB-85387, to inhibit the development of MASLD/MASH and further define its effects on the key metabolic pathways that progress MASH development. MASLD/MASH was induced using a low-methionine, choline-deficient diet or by streptozotocin treatment combined with high-fat diet feeding (STAM-HFD). VB-85387 significantly mitigated the severity of MASLD and reduced signs of MASH in mice subjected to these two distinct diets. VB-85387-treated mice exhibited decreased fibrosis, evidenced by reduced hepatic triglyceride concentrations, hydroxyproline levels, and collagen deposition. NAS scores were consistently lower in VB-85387-treated mice across both models. VB-85387-treated mice showed induced Pparα signaling and reduced Srebp transcription, demonstrating a likely role for VB-85387 in regulating lipogenesis and fatty acid β-oxidation. STAM-HFD treated mice showed lower NF-κBp65 activation, which was associated with lower tumor necrosis factor alpha expression. Il-1β and Ifnβ levels were also both reduced, suggesting VB-85387 can reduce proinflammatory pattern recognition receptor signaling. In addition, treatment suppressed interleukin 4/6-dependent Janus kinase activation. Overall, VB-85387 inhibited MASLD development by reducing liver triglyceride levels, fibrosis, and meta-inflammatory signaling. VB-85387 was as effective or superior to the MOGAT2 inhibitor phase I clinical trial drug BMS-963272 in reducing MASLD and fibrosis. VB-85387 has considerable potential for developing therapeutics targeting MASLD/MASH.
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