Abstract
Chronic liver disease (CLD) represents a significant global health burden, with hepatic steatosis-associated disorders-such as metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), alcoholic liver disease, and hepatitis C virus infection-being major contributors. Recent genome-wide association studies have identified the rs72613567:TA variant in the 17-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 13 (HSD17B13) gene as a protective factor against the development and progression of these conditions. In this review, we summarized the current evidence surrounding the HSD17B13 rs72613567 variant, aiming to elucidate its impact on CLD risk and outcomes, and to explore the potential mechanisms behind its hepatoprotective effects. The rs72613567:TA variant induces a splice donor site mutation, resulting in a truncated, non-functional HSD17B13 protein. Numerous studies have demonstrated that this loss-of-function mutation confers protection against the development of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with MASH, alcoholic liver disease, and hepatitis C virus infection. Moreover, the rs72613567:TA variant has been associated with reduced liver enzyme levels and improved survival in HCC patients. Integrating this variant into genetic risk scores has shown promise in predicting the progression of fatty liver disease to cirrhosis and HCC. Furthermore, inhibiting HSD17B13 expression through RNA interference and small molecule inhibitors has emerged as a potential therapeutic strategy for MASH. However, the precise molecular mechanisms underlying the hepatoprotective effects of the HSD17B13 rs72613567 variant remain to be fully elucidated. Future research should focus on clarifying the structure-function relationship of HSD17B13 and its role in liver pathophysiology to facilitate the development of targeted therapies for CLD associated with hepatic steatosis.