REVIEW article
Front. Med.
Sec. Hepatobiliary Diseases
Advances in the pathogenesis of MASLD and its association with neutrophils
Li Lin 1
Shuangfeng Zi 2
Guangcong Zhang 3
Yanan Ma 1
Ru Mai 1
Xuemei Jiang 1
1. Hainan Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
2. Southeast University Zhongda Hospital, Nanjing, China
3. Zhongshan Hospital Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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Abstract
Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD), previously known as Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD), is characterized by an abnormal accumulation of fat in the liver. The causes of MASLD are varied, and include an unhealthy lifestyle, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and type 2 diabetes mellitus. They are considered to be susceptibility-inducing factors for MASLD, and are strongly associated with obesity. Many researchers have explored the pathogenesis of MASLD in recent years, and have concluded that its development is associated with insulin resistance and impaired fat metabolism, which manifests as a form of metabolic liver injury. Currently available treatments remain challenging to implement, and impose a significant burden on the healthcare system. Neutrophils play an important role in the development of MASLD, and are crucial immune cells that provide the first line of defense against infection and injury. This review examines the pathogenesis of MASLD and the role of neutrophils in the disease, and further explores current advances in MASLD treatment as well as the therapeutic potential of neutrophils.
Summary
Keywords
Immunity, Inflammation, Metabolism, recruitment, Treatment
Received
20 January 2026
Accepted
18 February 2026
Copyright
© 2026 Lin, Zi, Zhang, Ma, Mai and Jiang. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
*Correspondence: Xuemei Jiang
Disclaimer
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