The matricellular protein thrombospondin-1 in lung inflammation and injury

Matricellular proteins comprise a diverse group of molecular entities secreted into the extracellular space. They interact with the extracellular matrix (ECM), integrins, and other cell-surface receptors, and can alter matrix strength, cell attachment to the matrix, and cell-cell adhesion. A founding member of this group is thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1), a high molecular-mass homotrimeric glycoprotein. Given the importance of the matrix and ECM remodeling in the lung following injury, TSP-1 has been implicated in a number of lung pathologies. This review examines the role of TSP-1 as a damage controller in the context of lung inflammation, injury resolution, and repair in noninfectious and infectious models. This review also discusses the potential role of TSP-1 in human diseases as it relates to lung inflammation and injury.