tRNA‑derived RNAs in hepatic diseases: From biological functions to clinical translation (Review)

In recent years, with the deepening understanding of the significant role of small non‑coding RNAs in human health and diseases, transfer RNA‑derived RNAs (tsRNAs) have gradually become a research focus. Existing evidence shows that tsRNAs not only participate in the regulation of liver gene expression, translation and stress response, but may also act as signaling molecules to mediate inter‑organ communication. However, the specific pathological mechanism and clinical value in the occurrence and development of liver diseases remain unclear. Although tsRNAs show promising prospects as non‑invasive biomarkers and are expected to be used in the diagnosis of liver diseases, screening of therapeutic targets, drug delivery and regulation of enzyme activity, the methodological limitations at present and the differences in performance among different disease types and populations have significantly restricted their clinical translation. The present article systematically reviews the pathological roles of tsRNAs in various liver diseases, with a focus on elaborating their roles in tumor evolution, metabolic disorders and immune regulation. Their clinical application potential was also evaluated, methodological challenges were discussed, and future directions were proposed to advance tsRNA‑based clinical translation in hepatology.