Plasma gelsolin: a general prognostic marker of health

Plasma gelsolin (pGSN) is the only component of two member extracellular actin scavenger system capable of severing circulating actin microfilaments. Here, we put forth the hypothesis that pGSN level is an important and sensitive general prognostic biomarker for health and disease conditions in humans, urging the need for gelsolin replacement therapy to improve patient's health status. Clinical significance and the therapeutic importance of this protein have been well illustrated in animal models as well as in patients with various diseases. Patients with decreased pGSN levels were observed to have higher mortality rate, longer hospital stay and longer ventilation time in intensive care units as compared to healthy controls. pGSN levels were found to be increasing in patients recovering from diseases; furthermore, it has been confirmed that repletion with exogenous recombinant pGSN increases the survival rate in animal models of different acute insults. To be used as a biomarker of health, however, establishing the accurate levels of gelsolin in human plasma and understanding its variance with age, race, gender and health status is a prerequisite. Upon establishing the accurate levels of pGSN in healthy individuals, this biomarker would predict the prognosis/disease progression in multiple health conditions and help in prioritizing the ones in-need of gelsolin replacement therapy.