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HIPK2 as a Novel Regulator of Fibrosis

Alessia Garufi1, Giuseppa Pistritto2, Gabriella D'Orazi1,3

  • 1Unit of Cellular Networks, Department of Research and Advanced Technologies, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, 00144 Rome, Italy.

Cancers
|February 25, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Homeodomain-interacting protein kinase 2 (HIPK2) is emerging as a key regulator in fibrosis, impacting multiple organs. Targeting HIPK2 offers a promising therapeutic strategy for treating fibrotic diseases and preventing organ failure.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cellular Biology
  • Pathophysiology

Background:

  • Fibrosis is a significant unmet medical need, often leading to organ failure due to a lack of targeted therapies and biomarkers.
  • Homeodomain-interacting protein kinase 2 (HIPK2) is a protein kinase with established roles in cell death and development, primarily studied in cancer biology.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To summarize recent findings on the involvement of HIPK2 in regulating tissue fibrosis.
  • To highlight HIPK2 as a potential therapeutic target for fibrotic diseases.

Main Methods:

  • Review of recent scientific literature and studies.
  • Analysis of HIPK2's role in established pro-fibrotic molecular pathways.

Main Results:

  • HIPK2 has been recently identified as a novel regulator in tissue fibrosis.
  • HIPK2 modulates key pro-fibrotic pathways including Wnt/β-catenin, TGF-β, and Notch.
  • HIPK2's influence extends to renal, pulmonary, liver, and cardiac fibrosis.

Conclusions:

  • HIPK2 plays a significant role in the pathophysiology of various fibrotic conditions.
  • HIPK2 represents a promising therapeutic target for developing novel anti-fibrotic treatments.
Keywords:
HIPK2cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF)cancer-associated fibrosiscardiac fibrosisfibroblastsfibrosiskidney fibrosisliver fibrosislung fibrosismyofibroblasts

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