Molecular crosstalk between MASLD and IVDD revealed through integrated biomarker discovery analysis

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), recently retermed as metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), and intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) are major health burdens with rising prevalence. Despite affecting different organ systems, emerging evidence suggests potential molecular crosstalk between these conditions. However, the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood.

We employed comprehensive bioinformatics analysis to investigate shared pathogenic mechanisms between MASLD and IVDD through integrated bulk and single-cell RNA sequencing datasets. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis and LASSO regression were used to identify common biomarkers. Experimental validation was performed using blood samples from patients and controls.

Transcriptomic profiling revealed distinct molecular signatures: MASLD showed enrichment in metabolic pathways (cholesterol metabolism, PPARγ signaling), while IVDD exhibited cellular signaling activation (MAPK, PI3K-AKT pathways). Four shared biomarkers were identified through LASSO regression: STAB2, RAPGEFL1, IGF1, and ZNF285. Experimental validation confirmed significant STAB2 upregulation and IGF1 downregulation in both diseases, with enhanced alterations in concurrent MASLD-IVDD patients. Through single-cell analysis of 10,388 NAFLD cells and 35,846 IVDD cells, Scissor analysis was employed to identify disease-associated cell populations and revealed two additional common biomarkers (PHACTR1 and RIPOR2), with experimental validation demonstrating significant alterations in patients with concurrent MASLD-IVDD. Furthermore, immune communication analysis identified GALECTIN as the predominant shared signaling pathway.

This study provides preliminary evidence for molecular crosstalk between MASLD and IVDD, suggesting systemic metabolic dysfunction may influence distant tissue pathology through shared inflammatory and metabolic pathways.