Recent advances in targeting obesity, with a focus on TGF-β signaling and vagus nerve innervation

Authors

Sahara John, Institute for Bioelectronic Medicine, Divisions of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Northwell Health, Manhasset, NY, 11030, USA.
Krishanu Bhowmick, Institute for Bioelectronic Medicine, Divisions of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Northwell Health, Manhasset, NY, 11030, USA.
Andrew Park, Institute for Bioelectronic Medicine, Divisions of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Northwell Health, Manhasset, NY, 11030, USA.
Hai Huang, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Northwell Health, Manhasset, NY, 11030, USA.
Xiaochun Yang, Institute for Bioelectronic Medicine, Divisions of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Northwell Health, Manhasset, NY, 11030, USA. xyang7@northwell.edu.
Lopa Mishra, Institute for Bioelectronic Medicine, Divisions of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Northwell Health, Manhasset, NY, 11030, USA. lmishra1@northwell.edu.

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

4-30-2025

Journal

Bioelectronic medicine

Volume

11

Issue

1

DOI

10.1186/s42234-025-00172-x

Keywords

Cancer; Liver disease; Obesity; TGF-β; Vagus nerve stimulation

Abstract

Over a third of the global population is affected by obesity, fatty liver disease (Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease, MASLD), and its severe form, MASH (Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis), which can ultimately progress to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Recent advancements include therapeutics such as glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) agonists and neural/vagal modulation strategies for these disorders. Among the many pathways regulating these conditions, emerging insights into transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling highlight potential future targets through its role in pathophysiological processes such as adipogenesis, inflammation, and fibrosis. Vagus nerve innervation in the gastrointestinal tract is involved in satiety regulation and energy homeostasis, and vagus nerve stimulation has been applied in weight loss and diabetes. This review explores clinical trials in obesity, novel therapeutic targets, and the role of TGF-β signaling and vagus nerve modulation in obesity-related liver diseases and HCC.

APA Citation

John, Sahara; Bhowmick, Krishanu; Park, Andrew; Huang, Hai; Yang, Xiaochun; and Mishra, Lopa, "Recent advances in targeting obesity, with a focus on TGF-β signaling and vagus nerve innervation" (2025). GW Authored Works. Paper 6964.
https://hsrc.himmelfarb.gwu.edu/gwhpubs/6964

Department

Surgery