Tsukanov VV, Vasyutin AV, Kasparov EV, Tonkikh JL. Letter to the Editor: Prospects for applying the results of studying the Sonic Hedgehog pathway to the diagnosis of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis. World J Gastroenterol 2026; 32(34): 120070 [DOI: 10.3748/wjg.120070]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Vladislav V Tsukanov, MD, PhD, Full Professor, Clinical Department of the Digestive System Pathology of Adults and Children, Federal Research Center “Krasnoyarsk Science Center” of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Scientific Research Institute of Medical Problems of the North, 3-G Partizan Zheleznyak Street, Krasnoyarsk 660022, Russia. gastro@impn.ru
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Gastroenterology & Hepatology
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letter
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Tsukanov VV, Vasyutin AV, Kasparov EV, Tonkikh JL. Letter to the Editor: Prospects for applying the results of studying the Sonic Hedgehog pathway to the diagnosis of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis. World J Gastroenterol 2026; 32(34): 120070 [DOI: 10.3748/wjg.120070]
World J Gastroenterol. Sep 14, 2026; 32(34): 120070 Published online Sep 14, 2026. doi: 10.3748/wjg.120070
Letter to the Editor: Prospects for applying the results of studying the Sonic Hedgehog pathway to the diagnosis of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis
Vladislav V Tsukanov, Alexander V Vasyutin, Edward V Kasparov, Julia L Tonkikh
Vladislav V Tsukanov, Alexander V Vasyutin, Edward V Kasparov, Julia L Tonkikh, Clinical Department of the Digestive System Pathology of Adults and Children, Federal Research Center “Krasnoyarsk Science Center” of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Scientific Research Institute of Medical Problems of the North, Krasnoyarsk 660022, Russia
Author contributions: Tsukanov VV, Vasyutin AV, Kasparov EV, and Tonkikh JL contributed to this paper; Tsukanov VV designed the overall concept and outline of the manuscript; Vasyutin AV wrote the original draft; Tonkikh JL reviewed the literature; Tsukanov VV and Kasparov EV reviewed and edited the manuscript; Tsukanov VV, Vasyutin AV, and Kasparov EV participated in drafting the manuscript; and all authors have read and approved the final version of the manuscript.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All the authors report no relevant conflicts of interest for this article.
Corresponding author: Vladislav V Tsukanov, MD, PhD, Full Professor, Clinical Department of the Digestive System Pathology of Adults and Children, Federal Research Center “Krasnoyarsk Science Center” of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Scientific Research Institute of Medical Problems of the North, 3-G Partizan Zheleznyak Street, Krasnoyarsk 660022, Russia. gastro@impn.ru
Received: February 14, 2026 Revised: April 2, 2026 Accepted: May 11, 2026 Published online: September 14, 2026 Processing time: 186 Days and 20.3 Hours
Abstract
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease relates to the most common liver diseases, often leading to complications, and is one of the most relevant problems in clinical medicine. The Sonic Hedgehog (SHH) signaling pathway plays a key role in embryonic development in animals, controlling organogenesis, tissue homeostasis, and regeneration. In recent years, the role of SHH in the carcinogenesis and the development of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis has been actively investigated. Several studies have demonstrated that SHH dysregulation is associated with progression of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. In this regard, the work of Han et al in the World Journal of Gastroenterology, which, as a result of studying 190 metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis patients, established an association between the SHH protein content in the liver and the histological level of steatosis, hepatocyte ballooning, lobular inflammation and liver fibrosis stage, is undoubtedly very promising and creates real opportunities for the implementation of modern fundamental knowledge into clinical practice.
Core Tip: The Sonic Hedgehog (SHH) signaling plays an important role in the development of animals by regulating organogenesis, tissue homeostasis, and regeneration. In a number of studies, it has been established that SHH dysregulation is associated with progression of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis. In this regard, Han et al, who combined modern fundamental ideas with a high-class histological examination of the liver and established a strong correlation of SHH with steatosis, inflammation and liver fibrosis in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis patients, certainly deserve approval and further development of their research.
