EIF2AK2 and systemic lupus erythematosus: ssGSEA and GSEA linked these genes to immune cell infiltration and pathways, including "cell cycle" and "RIG-I-like receptor signaling." A diagnostic model with three immune-related hub genes (MX1, IRF7, and EIF2AK2) demonstrated high accuracy (AUC > 0.8) in distinguishing SLE from healthy controls.