Identification Prognostic Value and Correlation with Tumor-Infiltrating Immune Cells of Tripartite-Motif Family Genes in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common and mortality types of malignant tumors in the world. The Tripartite-Motif (TRIM) protein family consists of more than 80 proteins with E3 ubiquitin ligase activity. Increasing studies have found that TRIM family proteins play an extremely important role in the occurrence and development of tumors. However, the expression and prognostic values of TRIMs in HCC have not been clarified. Methods: We used bioinformatic methods to explore the potential function of TRIM family genes in the HCC. Web servers ONCOMINE, UALCAN, GEPIA, cBioPortal, STRING, DAVID 6.8 and TIMER were used in this research. Results: We screened TRIM1-76 and found the expressions of TRIM6, TRIM11, TRIM16, TRIM18(MID1), TRIM24, TRIM28, TRIM31, TRIM37, TRIM45, TRIM52, TRIM59, TRIM66 were significantly changed in HCC. Among them, TRIM24, TRIM28, TRIM37, TRIM45 and TRIM59 had significant effects on pathological stages, overall survival and disease free survival. Functions of these genes are primarily related to transcriptional misregulation in cancer, p53 signaling pathway, alcoholism and viral carcinogenesis, FoxO signal pathway, PI3K-AKT pathway, cell cycle, microRNAs in cancer. Our results showed the significant correlation between TRIMs expression and infiltration of innate immune cells (macrophages, neutrophils, and dendritic cells). Conclusion: Our result provides novel insights into the function of TRIM family genes, which may be used as potential references for drug targets and accurate survival predictions in patients with HCC.