Discovery of Highly Potent, Selective, and Liver-Targeting HSD17B13 Inhibitor with Robust In Vivo Anti-MASH Activity

作者：Lianru Chen, Zhiling Liang, Jianming Mao, Zibin Liao, Yuxia Liu, Di Ou, Chunxia Liu, Zheng Li · 发表于：Journal of Medicinal Chemistry · 年份：2025 · DOI：10.1021/acs.jmedchem.5c00119 · 被引用次数：9 · 研究领域：Liver Disease Diagnosis and Treatment、Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Disease、Diet, Metabolism, and Disease

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) is one of the most common chronic liver diseases, driven by diverse genetic and environmental factors. Extensive human genetics’ studies have indicated that HSD17B13 is emerging as a promising therapeutic target for MASH. However, no in vivo efficacy of a HSD17B13 inhibitor has been reported. Herein, multiparameter optimization studies led to the discovery of a highly potent and selective HSD17B13 inhibitor 32 (IC 50 = 2.5 nM), which demonstrated significantly better liver microsomal stability and pharmacokinetic profile compared to BI-3231. Moreover, the unique liver-targeting profile of compound 32 provided greater potential for the treatment of MASH. In multiple mouse models, compound 32 exhibited better anti-MASH effects compared to BI-3231. Further mechanistic studies indicated that compound 32 regulated hepatic lipids by inhibiting the SREBP-1c/FAS pathway. Based on these positive results, HSD17B13 inhibitor 32 is worthy of further evaluation as the first pharmacological tool with robust in vivo anti-MASH activity.