Previous studies have shown that multiple downstream signalling pathways, such as the NF-κB, MAPK/JNK, and MAPK/p38 pathways, are regulated by ASK1, causing liver inflammation and apoptosis in various diseases, including ALD, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, hepatic I/R injury, and cancer 37, 38. The gene discussed is MAPK8; the disease is metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease.