Work

Preclinical Models of Metabolic Dysfunction–Associated Steatotic Liver Disease for Therapeutic Testing

Year: 2026

Type: review

Abstract: Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is the most prevalent hepatic pathology worldwide, with significant potential for progression to cirrhosis and ultimately end-stage liver disease. Accordingly, a wide range of preclinical models have been developed to better understand the disease mechanisms and progression as well as to accelerate drug discovery. These include in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo models, which offer unique advantages yet differ in terms of disease driver, species used, and biological complexity-ranging from benchtop cellular systems to whole organs and organisms. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of the technologies currently used for the study of MASLD, with a focus on how standardization of disease progression across models may aid therapeutic development.

Source: Annual Review of Biomedical Engineering

DOI: 10.1146/annurev-bioeng-081325-053420

Authors: Alissa M. Cutrone, Heidi Yeh, Korkut Uygun, O. Berk Usta

Institutions: Harvard University, Massachusetts General Hospital, Shriners Hospitals for Children - Boston

Language: English

Topic: Liver Disease Diagnosis and Treatment

Subfield: Epidemiology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Funder: National Institutes of Health