Human endogenous retrovirus ERVK3-1 characterizes a metabolically active and immunosuppressive subtype of liver cancer.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs), particularly the HERV-K family, are increasingly recognized for their roles in cancer biology, yet the function of ERVK3-1 (HERVK_3p21.31) in liver hepatocellular carcinoma (LIHC) remains largely unexplored.

Methods

We analyzed transcriptomic data from the TCGA-LIHC cohort to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between high and low ERVK3-1 expression groups, followed by functional enrichment analyses (GO, KEGG, GSEA), protein-protein interaction (PPI) network construction, and hub gene identification. The immunological relevance of ERVK3-1 was assessed through TIP immune cycle analysis, single-cell RNA sequencing datasets, and correlation with immune checkpoint expression. Immunotherapy responsiveness was evaluated

SUBMITTER: Wen X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12486636 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature