When further analyzing mRNA expression of TLR1 in PBMCs of patients with NAFLD, it was found that TLR1 mRNA was clustered with 14 NAFLD patients showing TLR1 mRNA expression in PBMCs similar or below to that of controls and 17 NAFLD patients having TLR1 mRNA expression in PBMCs above that of controls (highest control: 198%, Fig. 4D). The gene discussed is TLR1; the disease is metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease.