Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis reduces hepatic H2S-producing enzymes altering persulfidome composition

Abstract

Metabolic dysfunction–associated steatohepatitis (MASH) is a progressive disease driven by obesity-related hepatic inflammation and oxidative stress. Recently, cysteine persulfidation (PSSH), a protective post-translational modification by hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), was established to play a role in redox regulation. Despite the role of the liver in H₂S metabolism, the function of PSSH in MASH remains underexplored. We demonstrated that H₂S-producing enzymes are downregulated in both human and mouse livers with steatosis and fibrosis, resulting in a decline in global PSSH levels. Dimedone-switch mass spectrometry in dietary mouse models of distinct obesity-associated liver disease stages revealed dysregulated PSSH on specific proteins. Surprisingly, increased hepatic PSSH levels of protein tyrosine phosphatases and redox regulators were found in advanced disease stages, suggesting a targeted adaptive response to oxidative stress. Overall, our findings demonstrated that impaired H₂S production disrupts protective PSSH networks in MASH. However, selective PSSH preservation on redox-sensitive proteins may represent a compensatory mechanism, underscoring the therapeutic potential of persulfidation in restoring redox homeostasis during obesity-associated chronic liver disease.