HAVCR1 (hepatitis A virus cellular receptor 1), also known as KIM-1, serves multiple functions in cellular physiology and disease pathogenesis. Its primary function involves viral receptor activity, facilitating entry of various viruses including Zika virus through direct binding interactions 12. HAVCR1 acts as a primary receptor for ZIKV entry in placental trophoblasts, with its immunoglobulin variable-like domain binding to viral envelope proteins and virion-associated phosphatidylserine 2. The receptor cooperates with AP2S1 for viral internalization through clathrin-mediated endocytosis 2. In kidney disease, HAVCR1 mediates fatty acid uptake by proximal tubular cells, promoting diabetic kidney disease progression through enhanced tubular injury, DNA damage, and fibrosis 3. Additionally, HAVCR1+ proximal tubular cells acquire an inflammatory phenotype in injured kidneys, upregulating chemokines and pro-fibrotic proteins while localizing to fibrotic niches 4. This inflammatory phenotype involves loss of HNF4α and activation of NF-κB and AP-1 transcription factors 4. HAVCR1 shows clinical significance as a biomarker, with upregulated expression correlating with poor prognosis in multiple cancers including esophageal carcinoma, lung adenocarcinoma, and stomach adenocarcinoma 5. Gene haplotype variants also influence susceptibility to different hepatitis C virus genotypes 6.