Emmanuel Somm is a biomedical scientist (PhD) who has been working for several years in the field of endocrinology and metabolism. His research explores key mechanisms involved in metabolic liver diseases, with a particular focus on Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD) and its more severe form, Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis (MASH).

His previous work investigated the roles of fibroblast growth factors FGF-15/19 and FGF-21 in regulating energy balance and contributing to the development of MASLD/MASH. Currently, he is examining the role of interleukin-1 family cytokines in driving disease progression. Additionally, his team is exploring the potential of GLP-1 receptor agonists, an emerging class of anti-diabetic drugs, as preventive treatments for MASLD/MASH.

MASLD and MASH are increasingly recognised as major global public health challenges. A considerable proportion of individuals with MASLD develop hepatic inflammation (MASH), which can lead to fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). As of now, there are no approved pharmacological treatments for these conditions, underscoring the urgent need for new therapeutic strategies.

EXPERTISE

• Metabolic phenotyping of rodent
• Gene expression
• Histology
• snRNAseq

PUBLICATIONS

Interleukin-18 in metabolism: From mice physiology to human diseases.

Somm E, Jornayvaz FR. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2022 Oct 12;13:971745. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2022.971745. eCollection 2022. PMID: 36313762 Free PMC article. Review.

The GLP-1R agonist liraglutide limits hepatic lipotoxicity and inflammatory response in mice fed a methionine-choline deficient diet.

Somm E, Montandon SA, Loizides-Mangold U, Gaïa N, Lazarevic V, De Vito C, Perroud E, Bochaton-Piallat ML, Dibner C, Schrenzel J, Jornayvaz FR. Transl Res. 2021 Jan;227:75-88. doi: 10.1016/j.trsl.2020.07.008. Epub 2020 Jul 22. PMID: 32711187.

Fibroblast Growth Factor 15/19: From Basic Functions to Therapeutic Perspectives.

Somm E, Jornayvaz FR. Endocr Rev. 2018 Dec 1;39(6):960-989. doi: 10.1210/er.2018-00134. PMID: 30124818 Review.

β-Klotho deficiency protects against obesity through a crosstalk between liver, microbiota, and brown adipose tissue.

Somm E, Henry H, Bruce SJ, Aeby S, Rosikiewicz M, Sykiotis GP, Asrih M, Jornayvaz FR, Denechaud PD, Albrecht U, Mohammadi M, Dwyer A, Acierno JS Jr, Schoonjans K, Fajas L, Greub G, Pitteloud N. JCI Insight. 2017 Apr 20;2(8):e91809. doi: 10.1172/jci.insight.91809. eCollection 2017 Apr 20. PMID: 28422755.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Link to research group’s website at UNIGE: https://www.unige.ch/medecine/demed/recherche/997francois-jornayvaz/membres-du-groupe