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The midkine family in cancer, inflammation and neural development

Kenji Kadomatsu1

  • 1Department of Biochemistry, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, 65 Tsurumai-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan. kkadoma@med.nagoya-u.ac.jp

Nagoya Journal of Medical Science
|March 23, 2007
PubMed

Insights

The midkine (MK) family, including MK and pleiotrophin (PTN), plays a key role in cancer, inflammation, and neural development. Inhibiting MK and PTN shows promise for treating these conditions.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Developmental Biology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • The midkine (MK) family comprises MK and pleiotrophin (PTN), sharing heparin-binding properties and receptors.
  • Both MK and PTN exhibit diverse biological activities, including mitogenic, angiogenic, and chemotactic effects, suggesting involvement in cancer.
  • MK is implicated in inflammatory disorders and neural development, with MK and PTN found in embryonic brain tissues.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To summarize the biological significance of the MK family.
  • To highlight the role of MK and PTN in cancer, inflammation, and neural development.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on MK and PTN functions.
  • Analysis of gene expression in human carcinomas.
  • Evaluation of therapeutic potential of antisense oligonucleotides and ribozymes.

Main Results:

  • Strong expression of MK and PTN observed in human carcinomas.
  • Antisense oligonucleotides for MK and ribozymes for PTN demonstrated anti-tumor activity.
  • MK's critical role in inflammatory conditions like renal dysfunction and vascular restenosis was confirmed.
  • MK's ability to induce neural tissues in zebrafish and Xenopus was noted.

Conclusions:

  • The MK family is significantly involved in carcinogenesis, inflammation, and neural development.
  • Targeting MK and PTN offers potential therapeutic strategies for cancer and inflammatory diseases.
  • Further research into the MK family's functions could yield novel treatments.

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