Identification and immunological characterization of cuproptosis-related molecular clusters in biliary atresia

In this study, we aimed to identify and immunologically characterize copper death-associated molecular clusters in BA using a bioinformatics approach. We analyzed the GSE46960 dataset from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) to elucidate the role of copper-related molecular clusters in BA pathogenesis. Using liver samples from 64 children with biliary atresia and 14 age-matched children with other cholestatic diseases, we explored the molecular clusters based on cuproptosis-related genes, along with the related immune cell infiltration. Cluster-specific dierentially expressed genes were identified using the WGCNA algorithm. The dysregulated cuproptosis-related genes and activated immune responses were determined between biliary atresia and non-biliary atresia controls. Two cuproptosis-related molecular clusters were defined in biliary atresia. Analysis of immune infiltration suggested the significant heterogeneity of immunity between distinct clusters. Cluster2 was characterized by relatively higher levels of immune infiltration. Functional analysis showed that cluster-specific dierentially expressed genes in Cluster2 were closely related to various immune responses. Our study systematically illustrates the complex relationship between copper death and biliary atresia. Previous studies have shown that the activation of the HIF-1alpha pathway may be related to the pathogenesis of biliary atresia. The results of this paper support the assertion.