Notably, DUSP22HepKO-accelerated NASH-HCC progression was considerably abolished in DEN/HFHC-treated mice with FAKHepKO, indicating that the capacity of DUSP22 to restrain NASH-HCC was largely attributed to its inhibitory role on FAK activation and its downstream signals. The gene discussed is PTK2; the disease is metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis.