Chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 16 (CXCL16), a membrane-bound chemokine, acts as a ligand for C-X-C chemokine receptor type 6 (CXCR6) and contributes to the progression of many chronic inflammatory diseases, including fibrosis, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, atherosclerosis, and cancer26–31. The gene discussed is CXCL16; the disease is metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease.