This transcriptional reprogramming of hepatocytes in MASLD also resulted in accumulation of a subpopulation coexpressing hepatocyte and biliary epithelial (cholangiocyte) markers (e.g., KRT7, CFTR, EPCAM) that progressively expanded with MASLD severity and potentially derive from hepatocytes (43). Here, KRT7 is linked to metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease.