Interestingly, in an independent cohort of NAFLD patients58, the tsc22d3 mRNA expression inversely correlated with the degree of LF, as it was significantly lower in patients with advanced fibrosis (stages 3–4) compared to patients presenting fibrosis stages 0–1 (Fig. 7C; GSE49451). The gene discussed is TSC22D3; the disease is metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease.