Based on NAFLD pathogenesis, including lipid accumulation, inflammatory factors, and insulin resistance and its progression (such as obesity, diabetes, liver disease, and cancer) (38), the following 11 relevant pathways were selected: lipid and atherosclerosis pathway, AGE-RAGE signaling pathway, AMPK pathway, C-type lectin receptor pathway, insulin resistance, HIF − 1 signaling pathway, toll-like receptor signaling pathway, TNF signaling pathway, alcoholic liver disease, NAFLD, and pathways in cancer. The gene discussed is CLEC4D; the disease is metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease.