Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), formerly known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, is a major global cause of chronic liver disease. MASLD can progress to metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), leading to liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. The advent of technologies like single-cell and single-nuclei RNA sequencing has significantly advanced our understanding of liver function in both healthy and diseased states.
The next major advancement lies in integrating single-cell data with its spatial orientation within the liver. This spatial genomics approach will enhance discovery science in hepatology, enabling a deeper understanding of liver biology and disease progression. These advancements offer promising insights into human liver disease pathogenesis and the identification of new therapeutic targets.
Reference: Matchett KP, Paris J, Teichmann SA, et al. Spatial genomics: mapping human steatotic liver disease. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2024 Sep;21(9):646-660. doi: 10.1038/s41575-024-00915-2. Epub 2024 Apr 23. PMID: 38654090.
