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Steatotic liver disease

Implications of the evolving knowledge of the genetic architecture of MASLD

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) has a strong heritable component, and genome-wide association cohort studies are highlighting the major genetic determinants of this condition. A meta-analysis of these databases has now enabled expansion of the list of the inherited variants that modulate the risk of MASLD. The identification of new MASLD risk loci is improving comprehension of disease pathogenesis and individual risk stratification, and also enabling the identification of novel therapeutic targets and disease subtypes that might ultimately lead to a precision medicine approach.

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Fig. 1: Genomic approaches to investigate the genetic determinants of MASLD.

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Correspondence to Luca V. C. Valenti.

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L.V.C.V. has received speaking fees from Viatris and Novo Nordisk, consulted for Novo Nordisk, Pfizer, Boehringer Ingelheim, and Resalis, and received unrestricted grant support from Gilead. V.M. declares no competing interests.

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Valenti, L.V.C., Moretti, V. Implications of the evolving knowledge of the genetic architecture of MASLD. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 21, 5–6 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41575-023-00866-0

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