TLR4-Mediated Immune Dysfunction Links MASLD and Parkinson’s Disease: Insights from an Omics-Based Network Analysis

TL;DR

This study explores how TLR4 immune signaling connects MASLD and Parkinson’s disease, suggesting shared immunometabolic pathways that could lead to new treatments.

Contribution

The study identifies TLR4 and its SNP rs4986791 as key nodes linking MASLD and Parkinson’s disease through shared immunometabolic networks.

Findings

DisGeNet analysis revealed 978 shared genes and 39 SNPs between MASLD and Parkinson’s disease, including TLR4 and CD14.

Gene set enrichment analysis linked TLR4 to cytokine signaling, inflammation, and fibrogenesis.

Statins and fibrates were identified as compounds enriched in TLR4-related networks.

Abstract

Background and aim: Alterations in immune signaling have emerged as a key factor contributing to Parkinson’s disease pathophysiology. Increasing evidence also suggests that MASLD and Parkinson’s disease may share common immunological mechanisms. Among these, TLR4 has been linked to immune surveillance processes and inflammatory responses in both the central nervous system and the liver. The aim of our study was to delineate TLR4-mediated immune networks underpinning the molecular overlap between MASLD and Parkinson’s disease. Methods: Disease–disease and gene–disease associations were systematically retrieved from the DisGeNet database to map TLR4-related molecular networks across both conditions. Functional enrichment analyses were subsequently applied to identify biological pathways significantly associated with TLR4, including potential gene–drug interactions. Guided by these results, a scoping review of the literature was undertaken to summarize existing evidence addressing TLR4-dependent mechanisms in MASLD and Parkinson’s disease. Results: DisGeNet analysis indicated 978 shared genes and 39 SNPs shared between both diseases. TLRs, including TLR4-associated coreceptors such as CD14, are among these shared genes. Among these, TLR4 and its missense SNP rs4986791 emerged as key shared immunometabolic nodes linking both diseases. Among the shared SNPs identified in both diseases, we focused on TLR4, where the common variant was rs4986791. Gene set enrichment analysis revealed multiple biological processes associated with cytokine signaling, inflammation, and fibrogenesis. Gene–drug enrichment analysis identified statins and fibrates among the compounds enriched in TLR4-containing networks. Conclusions: These findings support a role for TLR4-associated pathways in linking immunometabolic processes across MASLD and Parkinson’s disease. Disruption of these pathways is associated with aberrant inflammatory regulation, with tissue-specific effects further contributing to the distinct molecular pathology observed in each condition. Consequently, modulation of TLR4 signaling represents a plausible strategy for the development or repositioning of disease-modifying interventions applicable to both conditions.

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