Detoxification and Immune Transcriptomic Response of the Gill Tissue of Bay Scallop (Argopecten irradians) Following Exposure to the Algicide Palmitoleic Acid

Palmitoleic acid (PA) is an effective algicide against Alexandrium tamarense. However, the toxicological mechanism of PA exposure is unclear. The transcript abundance and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in gills of bay scallop were investigated following 80 mg/L PA exposure up to 48 h using the Illumina HiSeq 4000 deep-sequencing platform with the recommended read length of 100 bp. De novo assembly of paired-end reads yielded 62,099 unigenes; 5414 genes were identified as being significantly increased, and 4452 were decreased. Based on gene ontology classification and enrichment analysis, the ‘cellular process’, ‘metabolic process’, ‘response to stimulus’, and ‘catalytic process’ with particularly high functional enrichment were revealed. The DEGs, which are related to detoxification and immune responses, revealed that acid phosphatase, fibrinogen C domain-containing protein, cyclic AMP-responsive element-binding protein, glutathione reductase, ATP-binding cassette, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor, NADPH2:quinone reductase, and cytochrome P450 4F22, 4B1, and 2C8-related gene expression decreased. In contrast, some genes related to glutathione S-transferase, C-type lectin, superoxide dismutase, toll-like receptors, and cytochrome P450 2C14, 2U1, 3A24 and 4A2 increased. The results of current research will be a valuable resource for the investigation of gene expression stimulated by PA, and will help understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the scallops’ response to PA exposure.

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Identification of Four Key Biomarkers and Small Molecule Drugs Innasopharyngeal Carcinoma by Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis

10.21203/rs.3.rs-49643/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Xi Pan ◽

Jian-Hao Liu

Keyword(s):

Gene Expression ◽

Network Analysis ◽

Small Molecule ◽

Molecular Mechanisms ◽

Enrichment Analysis ◽

Tumor Stage ◽

Functional Enrichment ◽

Hub Genes ◽

Therapeutic Goals ◽

Small Molecule Drugs

Abstract Background Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a heterogeneous carcinoma that the underlying molecular mechanisms involved in the tumor initiation, progression, and migration are largely unclear. The purpose of the present study was to identify key biomarkers and small-molecule drugs for NPC screening, diagnosis, and therapy via gene expression profile analysis. Methods Raw microarray data of NPC were retrieved from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database and analyzed to screen out the potential differentially expressed genes (DEGs). The key modules associated with histology grade and tumor stage was identified by using weighted correlation network analysis (WGCNA). Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses of genes in the key module were performed to identify potential mechanisms. Candidate hub genes were obtained, which based on the criteria of module membership (MM) and high connectivity. Then we used receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve to evaluate the diagnostic value of hub genes. The Connectivity map database was further used to screen out small-molecule drugs of hub genes. Results A total of 430 DEGs were identified based on two GEO datasets. The green gene module was considered as key module for the tumor stage of NPC via WGCNA analysis. The results of functional enrichment analysis revealed that genes in the green module were enriched in regulation of cell cycle, p53 signaling pathway, cell part morphogenesis. Furthermore, four DEGs-related hub genes in the green module were considered as the final hub genes. Then ROC revealed that the final four hub genes presented with high areas under the curve, suggesting these hub genes may be diagnostic biomarkers for NPC. Meanwhile, we screened out several small-molecule drugs that have provided potentially therapeutic goals for NPC. Conclusions Our research identified four potential prognostic biomarkers and several candidate small-molecule drugs for NPC, which may contribute to the new insights for NPC therapy.

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Analysis of potential genetic biomarkers and molecular mechanism of smoking-related postmenopausal osteoporosis using weighted gene co-expression network analysis and machine learning

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0257343 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (9) ◽

pp. e0257343

Author(s):

Shaoshuo Li ◽

Baixing Chen ◽

Hao Chen ◽

Zhen Hua ◽

Yang Shao ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gene Expression ◽

Machine Learning ◽

Network Analysis ◽

Postmenopausal Osteoporosis ◽

Molecular Mechanism ◽

Molecular Mechanisms ◽

Functional Enrichment ◽

Support Vector ◽

Hub Genes ◽

Genetic Biomarkers

Objectives Smoking is a significant independent risk factor for postmenopausal osteoporosis, leading to genome variations in postmenopausal smokers. This study investigates potential biomarkers and molecular mechanisms of smoking-related postmenopausal osteoporosis (SRPO). Materials and methods The GSE13850 microarray dataset was downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). Gene modules associated with SRPO were identified using weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis, and pathway and functional enrichment analyses. Feature genes were selected using two machine learning methods: support vector machine-recursive feature elimination (SVM-RFE) and random forest (RF). The diagnostic efficiency of the selected genes was assessed by gene expression analysis and receiver operating characteristic curve. Results Eight highly conserved modules were detected in the WGCNA network, and the genes in the module that was strongly correlated with SRPO were used for constructing the PPI network. A total of 113 hub genes were identified in the core network using topological network analysis. Enrichment analysis results showed that hub genes were closely associated with the regulation of RNA transcription and translation, ATPase activity, and immune-related signaling. Six genes (HNRNPC, PFDN2, PSMC5, RPS16, TCEB2, and UBE2V2) were selected as genetic biomarkers for SRPO by integrating the feature selection of SVM-RFE and RF. Conclusion The present study identified potential genetic biomarkers and provided a novel insight into the underlying molecular mechanism of SRPO.

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Validation of novel hub genes and molecular mechanisms in acute lung injury using an integrative bioinformatics approach

Acta Biochimica et Biophysica Sinica ◽

10.1093/abbs/gmab003 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Qingchun Liang ◽

Qin Zhou ◽

Jinhe Li ◽

Zhugui Chen ◽

Zhihao Zhang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gene Expression ◽

Acute Lung Injury ◽

Lung Injury ◽

Molecular Mechanisms ◽

Molecular Biomarkers ◽

Functional Enrichment ◽

Lung Injury Score ◽

Control Group ◽

High Morbidity ◽

Hub Genes

Abstract Acute lung injury (ALI) is an inflammatory pulmonary disease that can easily develop into serious acute respiratory distress syndrome, which has high morbidity and mortality. However, the molecular mechanism of ALI remains unclear, and few molecular biomarkers for diagnosis and treatment have been identified. In this study, we aimed to identify novel molecular biomarkers using a bioinformatics approach. Gene expression data were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus database, co-expressed differentially expressed genes (CoDEGs) were identified using R software, and further functional enrichment analyses were conducted using the online tool Database for Annotation, Visualization, and Integrated Discovery. A protein–protein interaction network was established using the STRING database and Cytoscape software. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ALI mouse model was constructed and verified. The hub genes were screened and validated in vivo. The transcription factors (TFs) and miRNAs associated with the hub genes were predicted using the NetworkAnalyst database. In total, 71 CoDEGs were screened and found to be mainly involved in the cytokine–cytokine receptor interactions, and the tumor necrosis factor and malaria signaling pathways. Animal experiments showed that the lung injury score, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid protein concentration, and wet-to-dry weight ratio were higher in the LPS group than those in the control group. Real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis indicated that most of the hub genes such as colony-stimulating factor 2 (Csf2) were overexpressed in the LPS group. A total of 20 TFs including nuclear respiratory factor 1 (NRF1) and two miRNAs were predicted to be regulators of the hub genes. In summary, Csf2 may serve as a novel diagnostic and therapeutic target for ALI. NRF1 and mmu-mir-122-5p may be key regulators in the development of ALI.

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Network Analyses Predict Small RNAs That Might Modulate Gene Expression in the Testis and Epididymis of Bos indicus Bulls

Frontiers in Genetics ◽

10.3389/fgene.2021.610116 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Andressa O. de Lima ◽

Juliana Afonso ◽

Janette Edson ◽

Esteban Marcellin ◽

Robin Palfreyman ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gene Expression ◽

Small Rnas ◽

Molecular Mechanisms ◽

Bos Indicus ◽

Male Gamete ◽

Functional Enrichment ◽

Pairwise Comparisons ◽

Network Analyses ◽

Germ Cell Differentiation ◽

Network Cluster

Spermatogenesis relies on complex molecular mechanisms, essential for the genesis and differentiation of the male gamete. Germ cell differentiation starts at the testicular parenchyma and finishes in the epididymis, which has three main regions: head, body, and tail. RNA-sequencing data of the testicular parenchyma (TP), head epididymis (HE), and tail epididymis (TE) from four bulls (three biopsies per bull: 12 samples) were subjected to differential expression analyses, functional enrichment analyses, and co-expression analyses. The aim was to investigate the co-expression and infer possible regulatory roles for transcripts involved in the spermatogenesis of Bos indicus bulls. Across the three pairwise comparisons, 3,826 differentially expressed (DE) transcripts were identified, of which 384 are small RNAs. Functional enrichment analysis pointed to gene ontology (GO) terms related to ion channel activity, detoxification of copper, neuroactive receptors, and spermatogenesis. Using the regulatory impact factor (RIF) algorithm, we detected 70 DE small RNAs likely to regulate the DE transcripts considering all pairwise comparisons among tissues. The pattern of small RNA co-expression suggested that these elements are involved in spermatogenesis regulation. The 3,826 DE transcripts (mRNAs and small RNAs) were further subjected to co-expression analyses using the partial correlation and information theory (PCIT) algorithm for network prediction. Significant correlations underpinned the co-expression network, which had 2,216 transcripts connected by 158,807 predicted interactions. The larger network cluster was enriched for male gamete generation and had 15 miRNAs with significant RIF. The miRNA bta-mir-2886 showed the highest number of connections (601) and was predicted to down-regulate ELOVL3, FEZF2, and HOXA13 (negative co-expression correlations and confirmed with TargetScan). In short, we suggest that bta-mir-2886 and other small RNAs might modulate gene expression in the testis and epididymis, in Bos indicus cattle.

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Genome-wide methylation and expression analyses reveal the epigenetic landscape of immune-related diseases for tobacco smoking

Clinical Epigenetics ◽

10.1186/s13148-021-01208-0 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Ying Mao ◽

Peng Huang ◽

Yan Wang ◽

Maiqiu Wang ◽

Ming D. Li ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gene Expression ◽

Cigarette Smoke ◽

Tobacco Smoking ◽

Molecular Mechanisms ◽

Functional Enrichment ◽

Chronic Obstructive ◽

Rna Seq ◽

Immune System Diseases ◽

Genome Wide ◽

A Genome

Abstract Background Smoking is a major causal risk factor for lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cardiovascular disease (CVD), and is the main preventable cause of deaths in the world. The components of cigarette smoke are involved in immune and inflammatory processes, which may increase the prevalence of cigarette smoke-related diseases. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms linking smoking and diseases have not been well explored. This study was aimed to depict a global map of DNA methylation and gene expression changes induced by tobacco smoking and to explore the molecular mechanisms between smoking and human diseases through whole-genome bisulfite sequencing (WGBS) and RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq). Results We performed WGBS on 72 samples (36 smokers and 36 nonsmokers) and RNA-seq on 75 samples (38 smokers and 37 nonsmokers), and cytokine immunoassay on plasma from 22 males (9 smokers and 13 nonsmokers) who were recruited from the city of Jincheng in China. By comparing the data of the two groups, we discovered a genome-wide methylation landscape of differentially methylated regions (DMRs) associated with smoking. Functional enrichment analyses revealed that both smoking-related hyper-DMR genes (DMGs) and hypo-DMGs were related to synapse-related pathways, whereas the hypo-DMGs were specifically related to cancer and addiction. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) revealed by RNA-seq analysis were significantly enriched in the “immunosuppression” pathway. Correlation analysis of DMRs with their corresponding gene expression showed that genes affected by tobacco smoking were mostly related to immune system diseases. Finally, by comparing cytokine concentrations between smokers and nonsmokers, we found that vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was significantly upregulated in smokers. Conclusions In sum, we found that smoking-induced DMRs have different distribution patterns in hypermethylated and hypomethylated areas between smokers and nonsmokers. We further identified and verified smoking-related DMGs and DEGs through multi-omics integration analysis of DNA methylome and transcriptome data. These findings provide us a comprehensive genomic map of the molecular changes induced by smoking which would enhance our understanding of the harms of smoking and its relationship with diseases.

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MicroRNA-Mediated Regulation of Initial Host Responses in a Symbiotic Organ

mSystems ◽

10.1128/msystems.00081-21 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 6 (3) ◽

Author(s):

Silvia Moriano-Gutierrez ◽

Edward G. Ruby ◽

Margaret J. McFall-Ngai

Keyword(s):

Gene Expression ◽

Molecular Mechanisms ◽

Tissue Remodeling ◽

Mrna Translation ◽

Functional Enrichment ◽

Critical Event ◽

Light Organ ◽

Transcriptional Responses ◽

Mrna Targets ◽

Host Tissues

ABSTRACT One of the most important events in an animal’s life history is the initial colonization by its microbial symbionts, yet little is known about this event’s immediate impacts on the extent of host gene expression or the molecular mechanisms controlling it. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short, noncoding RNAs that bind to target mRNAs, rapidly shaping gene expression by posttranscriptional control of mRNA translation and decay. Here, we show that, in the experimentally tractable binary squid-vibrio symbiosis, colonization of the light organ induces extensive changes in the miRNA transcriptome. Examination of the squid genome revealed the presence of evolutionarily conserved genes encoding elements essential for the production and processing of miRNAs. At 24 h postcolonization, 215 host miRNAs were detected in the light organ, 26 of which were differentially expressed in response to the symbionts. A functional enrichment analysis of genes potentially targeted by downregulation of certain miRNAs at the initiation of symbiosis revealed two major gene ontology (GO) term categories, neurodevelopment and tissue remodeling. This symbiont-induced downregulation is predicted to promote these activities in host tissues and is consistent with the well-described tissue remodeling that occurs at the onset of the association. Conversely, predicted targets of upregulated miRNAs, including the production of mucus, are consistent with attenuation of immune responses by symbiosis. Taken together, our data provide evidence that, at the onset of symbiosis, host miRNAs in the light organ drive alterations in gene expression that (i) orchestrate the symbiont-induced development of host tissues, and (ii) facilitate the partnership by dampening the immune response. IMPORTANCE Animals often acquire their microbiome from the environment at each generation, making the initial interaction of the partners a critical event in the establishment and development of a stable, healthy symbiosis. However, the molecular nature of these earliest interactions is generally difficult to study and poorly understood. We report that, during the initial 24 h of the squid-vibrio association, a differential expression of host miRNAs is triggered by the presence of the microbial partner. Predicted mRNA targets of these miRNAs were associated with regulatory networks that drive tissue remodeling and immune suppression, two major symbiosis-induced developmental outcomes in this and many other associations. These results implicate regulation by miRNAs as key to orchestrating the critical transcriptional responses that occur very early during the establishment of a symbiosis. Animals with more complex microbiota may have similar miRNA-driven responses as their association is initiated, supporting an evolutionary conservation of symbiosis-induced developmental mechanisms.

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Identification of potential crucial genes and pathways associated with vein graft restenosis based on gene expression analysis in experimental rabbits

PeerJ ◽

10.7717/peerj.4704 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 6 ◽

pp. e4704 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Qiang Liu ◽

Xiujie Yin ◽

Mingzhu Li ◽

Li Wan ◽

Liqiao Liu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gene Expression ◽

High Throughput ◽

Vein Graft ◽

Molecular Mechanisms ◽

Rapid Development ◽

Bypass Graft ◽

Functional Enrichment ◽

Ppi Network ◽

Hub Genes ◽

Network Analyses

Occlusive artery disease (CAD) is the leading cause of death worldwide. Bypass graft surgery remains the most prevalently performed treatment for occlusive arterial disease, and veins are the most frequently used conduits for surgical revascularization. However, the clinical efficacy of bypass graft surgery is highly affected by the long-term potency rates of vein grafts, and no optimal treatments are available for the prevention of vein graft restenosis (VGR) at present. Hence, there is an urgent need to improve our understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in mediating VGR. The past decade has seen the rapid development of genomic technologies, such as genome sequencing and microarray technologies, which will provide novel insights into potential molecular mechanisms involved in the VGR program. Ironically, high throughput data associated with VGR are extremely scarce. The main goal of the current study was to explore potential crucial genes and pathways associated with VGR and to provide valid biological information for further investigation of VGR. A comprehensive bioinformatics analysis was performed using high throughput gene expression data. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified using the R and Bioconductor packages. After functional enrichment analysis of the DEGs, protein–protein interaction (PPI) network and sub-PPI network analyses were performed. Finally, nine potential hub genes and fourteen pathways were identified. These hub genes may interact with each other and regulate the VGR program by modulating the cell cycle pathway. Future studies focusing on revealing the specific cellular and molecular mechanisms of these key genes and pathways involved in regulating the VGR program may provide novel therapeutic targets for VGR inhibition.

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Hub Genes of Stroke Identified by Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis

10.21203/rs.3.rs-38160/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Junhong Li ◽

Yang Zhai ◽

Peng Wu ◽

Yueqiang Hu ◽

Wei Chen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gene Expression ◽

Network Analysis ◽

Molecular Mechanisms ◽

Expression Profiles ◽

Enrichment Analysis ◽

Functional Enrichment ◽

Common Disease ◽

Hub Genes ◽

Neuron Death ◽

Roc Curve Analysis

Abstract BACKGROUD: Microarray-based gene expression profiling is widely used in biomedical research. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) links microarray data directly to clinical traits and identifies rules for predicting pathological stage and prognosis of disease.WGCNA is useful in understandingmany biological processes. Stroke is a common disease worldwide, however, molecular mechanisms of its pathogenesis are largely unknown. The aim of this study was to construct gene co-expression networks for identification of key modules and hub genes associated with stroke pathogenesis.METHODS: Gene microarray expression profiles of stroke samples were retrieved from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were screened by the limma package in R software. WGCNA was used to construct free-scale gene co-expression networks to explore the associations between gene sets and clinical features, and to identify key modules and hub genes. Subsequently, functional enrichment analyses were performed. Further, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was carried out to validate expression of hub genes and literature validation was performed as well.RESULTS: A total of 11,747 most variant genes were used for co-expression network construction. Pink and yellow modules were significantly correlated to stroke pathogenesis. Functional enrichment analysis showed that the pink module was mainly involved in regulation of neuron regeneration, and repair of DNA damage.On the other hand, yellow module was mainly enriched in ion transport system dysfunction which was correlated with neuron death. A total of eight hub genes (PRR11, NEDD9, Notch2, RUNX1-IT1, ANP32A-IT1, ASTN2, SAMHD1 and STIM1) were identified and validated at transcriptional levels and through existing literature.CONCLUSION: The eight hub genes (PRR11, NEDD9, Notch2, RUNX1-IT1, ANP32A-IT1, ASTN2, SAMHD1 and STIM1) identified in the study are potentialbiomarkers and therapeutic targets for effective diagnosis and treatment of stroke.

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Identification of Iron Homeostasis Genes Dysregulation Potentially Involved in Retinopathy of Prematurity Pathogenicity by Microarray Analysis

Journal of Ophthalmology ◽

10.1155/2015/584854 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 2015 ◽

pp. 1-9

Author(s):

Xian-qiong Luo ◽

Chun-yi Zhang ◽

Jia-wen Zhang ◽

Jing-bo Jiang ◽

Ai-hua Yin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gene Expression ◽

Gene Expression Profiling ◽

Retinopathy Of Prematurity ◽

Expression Profiling ◽

Iron Homeostasis ◽

Molecular Mechanisms ◽

Ion Homeostasis ◽

Functional Enrichment ◽

Preterm Neonates ◽

Hypoxic Conditions

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a serious disease of preterm neonates and there are limited systematic studies of the molecular mechanisms underlying ROP. Therefore, here we performed global gene expression profiling in human fetal retinal microvascular endothelial cells (RMECs) under hypoxic conditionsin vitro. Aborted fetuses were enrolled and primary RMECs were isolated from eyeballs. Cultivated cells were treated with CoCl2to induce hypoxia. The dual-color microarray approach was adopted to compare gene expression profiling between treated RMECs and the paired untreated control. The one-class algorithm in significance analysis of microarray (SAM) software was used to screen the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) was conducted to validate the results. Gene Ontology was employed for functional enrichment analysis. There were 326 DEGs between the hypoxia-induced group and untreated group. Of these genes, 198 were upregulated in hypoxic RMECs, while the other 128 hits were downregulated. In particular, genes in the iron ion homeostasis pathway were highly enriched under hypoxic conditions. Our study indicates that dysregulation of genes involved in iron homeostasis mediating oxidative damage may be responsible for the mechanisms underlying ROP. The “oxygen plus iron” hypothesis may improve our understanding of ROP pathogenesis.

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Identification and Validation of Hub Genes Associated With Hepatocellular Carcinoma Via Integrated Bioinformatics Analysis

Frontiers in Oncology ◽

10.3389/fonc.2021.614531 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 ◽

Author(s):

Sumei Wang ◽

Zuoli Song ◽

Bing Tan ◽

Jinjuan Zhang ◽

Jiandong Zhang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gene Expression ◽

Hepatocellular Carcinoma ◽

Survival Analysis ◽

Molecular Mechanisms ◽

Enrichment Analysis ◽

The Cancer Genome Atlas ◽

Functional Enrichment ◽

High Morbidity ◽

Hub Genes ◽

Study Gene Expression

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common malignant tumor of the liver, with high morbidity and mortality, yet its molecular mechanisms of tumorigenesis are still unclear. In this study, gene expression profile of GSE62232 was downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). The RNA-seq expression data and relative clinical information were retrieved from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. The datasets were analyzed by differential gene expression analysis and Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) to obtain the overlapping genes. Then, we performed a functional enrichment analysis to understand the potential biological functions of these co-expression genes. Finally, we constructed the protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis combined with survival analysis. MARCO, CLEC4M, FCGR2B, LYVE1, TIMD4, STAB2, CFP, CLEC4G, CLEC1B, FCN2, FCN3 and FOXO1 were identified as the candidate hub genes using the CytoHubba plugin of Cytoscape. Based on survival analysis, the lower expression of FCN3 and FOXO1 were associated with worse overall survival (OS) in HCC patients. Furthermore, the expression levels of FCN3 and FOXO1 were validated by the Human Protein Atlas (HPA) database and the qRT-PCR. In summary, our findings contribute new ideas for the precise early diagnosis, clinical treatment and prognosis of HCC in the future.

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