AKR1B10 expression characteristics in hepatocellular carcinoma and its correlation with clinicopathological features and immune microenvironment

Sep 21, 2026

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Hepatocellular carcinoma poses a major global health threat with complex pathogenesis. Aldo–keto reductase family 1 member B10 (AKR1B10) is a tumor-associated enzyme showing abnormal expression across cancers, yet its role in HCC remains insufficiently defined. This study assesses AKR1B10 expression patterns in HCC, links them to clinicopathological features and survival prognosis, and evaluates associations with the tumor immune microenvironment. Bioinformatics analyses integrate GEO, TIMER, GEPIA, HPA, TCGA (LIHC), Kaplan–Meier and Cox modeling, and pathway/network and regulator predictions (GSEA, Targetscan), supporting AKR1B10 as a potential biomarker and therapeutic target.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages16

Reading Time40 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Background of hepatocellular carcinoma and unmet needs

Rationale for AKR1B10 in cancer biology

Study Design and Bioinformatics Workflow

Identification of HCC-related differentially expressed genes

Cross-database expression comparison and tissue validation

Association with clinicopathological features (TCGA LIHC)

Prognostic evaluation (Kaplan–Meier and Cox)

Pathway, immune microenvironment, and regulatory mechanism analysis

Key Findings and Implications

[www. nature.com/scientificreports](www. nature.com/scientificreports) OPEN AKR1B10 expression characteristics in hepatocellular carcinoma and its correlation with clinicopathological features and immune microenvironment Li‑Na Ma1, Yan Ma1, Xia Luo2, Zi‑min Ma 3, Li‑Na Ma2,4* & Xiang‑Chun Ding2,4* Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) represents a major global health threat with diverse and complex pathogenesis. Aldo–keto reductase family 1 member B10 (AKR1B10), a tumor‑associated enzyme, exhibits abnormal expression in various cancers. However, a comprehensive understanding of AKR1B10’s role in HCC is lacking. This study aims to explore the expression characteristics ofAKR1B10 in HCC and its correlation with clinicopathological features, survival prognosis, and tumor immune microenvironment, further investigating its role and potential regulatory mechanisms in HCC. This study conducted comprehensive analyses using various bioinformatics tools and databases. Initially, differentially expressed genes related to HCC were identified from the GEO database, and the expression of AKR1B10 in HCC and other cancers was compared using TIMER and GEPIA databases, with validation of its specificity in HCC tissue samples using the HPA database. Furthermore, the relationship of AKR1B10 expression with clinicopathological features (age, gender, tumor size, staging, etc.) of HCC patients was analyzed using theTCGA database’s LIHC dataset. The impact of AKR1B10 expression levels on patient prognosis was evaluated using Kaplan–Meier survival analysis and the Cox proportional hazards model. Additionally, the correlation of AKR1B10 expression with tumor biology‑related signaling pathways and tumor immune microenvironment was studied using databases like GSEA, Targetscan, and others, identifying microRNAs (miRNAs) and long non‑coding RNAs (lncRNAs) that regulate AKR1B10 expression to explore potential regulatory mechanisms. Elevated AKR1B10 expression was significantly associated with gender, primary tumor size, and fibrosis stage in HCC tissues. High AKR1B10 expression indicated poor prognosis and served asan independent predictor for patient outcomes. Detailed mechanism analysis revealed a positive correlation between high AKR1B10 expression, immune cell infiltration, and pro‑inflammatory cytokines, suggesting a potential DANCR‑miR‑216a‑5p‑AKR1B10 axis regulating the tumor microenvironment and impacting HCC development and prognosis. The heightened expression of AKR1B10 in HCC is not only related to significant clinical‑pathological traits but may also influence HCC progression and prognosis by activating key signaling pathways and altering the tumor immune microenvironment. These findings provide new insights intothe role ofAKR1B10 in HCC pathogenesis and highlight its potential as a biomarker and therapeutic target. Keywords Hepatocellular carcinoma, AKR1B10, Clinical-pathological features, Survival prognosis, Immune microenvironment, Regulatory mechanisms Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignancies globally, accounting for 75–85% of primary liver cancers. As a significant public health issue, especially in East Asia, such as China, HCC presentsa median survival of only 6–10 months1. Liver cirrhosis, a key pathological foundation for HCC, is a common 1Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan 750004, Ningxia, China. 2Department of Infectious Disease, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, 804 Shengli South Street, Xingqing District, Yinchuan 750004, Ningxia, China. 3Xinasheng Biotech of Ningxia, Yinchuan 750004, Ningxia, China. 4These authors contributed equally: Li-Na Ma and Xiang-Chun Ding.* email: [13619511758@163.com](13619511758@163.com); [13619511768@163.com](13619511768@163.com) [www. nature.com/scientificreports/](www. nature.com/scientificreports/) cause of death in patients with cirrhosis2. Factors promoting cirrhosis, including viral infections, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), chr

FAQs

What is the primary aim of this study on AKR1B10 in hepatocellular carcinoma?

To characterize AKR1B10 expression in HCC and determine its associations with clinicopathological features, survival prognosis, and the tumor immune microenvironment.

Which databases and methods are used to evaluate AKR1B10 expression and clinical associations?

The study uses GEO for differential genes, TIMER and GEPIA for expression comparisons, HPA for HCC tissue specificity validation, and TCGA (LIHC dataset) to analyze relationships with clinicopathological variables.

How does AKR1B10 expression relate to patient prognosis and tumor immunity in the results?

Higher AKR1B10 expression is linked to worse prognosis and is associated with immune cell infiltration and pro-inflammatory cytokines, suggesting an influence on the tumor microenvironment.

Sep 21, 2026

Uploaded by Hazel