Also, cellular stress response related genes such as FOS, JUND, JUNB, and JUN showed significant upregulation in advanced HCC (P < 2.2 × 10–16), implying these cells might be engaged in complex transcriptional reprogramming probably due to the disruption of the TME (Fig. 5h; Supplementary Fig. S7c and Table S6). Here, JUND is linked to hepatocellular carcinoma.