RIG-I expression was significantly increased in the livers from at least 8 of 16 (50%) NAFLD patients, and the level of methylated RIG-I at K18 and K146 were also significantly increased in these 8 NAFLD livers (Fig. 7f–h, Additional file 2: Fig. S7d, e). Here, RIGI is linked to metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease.