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Deciphering the Tenascin-C Nexus: A Comprehensive Review of Its Involvement in Chronic Respiratory Diseases
Juan Manuel Velázquez-Enríquez1,2, Jovito Cesar Santos-Álvarez2, Karina González-García2
1Centro de Investigación en Nutrición y Alimentación, Licenciatura en Nutrición, Universidad del Istmo, Carretera Transísmica Juchitán, La Ventosa km. 14, La Ventosa 70102, Oaxaca, Mexico.
Abstract:
Tenascin-C (TNC) is an extracellular matrix (ECM) protein with key roles in various biological processes, such as embryonic development and tissue regeneration. However, its deregulated expression can contribute to pathological responses, promoting chronic inflammation, fibrosis, or tumor progression. It belongs to the tenascin family, a class of extracellular proteins that interfere with cellular events in both physiological and pathological contexts, interacting specifically with cells and other components of the ECM. TNC has emerged as a key player in the pathogenesis of chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs), including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung cancer (LC), pulmonary hypertension (PH), and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). The influence of TNC on cellular responses, which is mediated by precise interactions with cellular receptors and ligands, triggers complex intracellular signaling cascades associated with the inflammatory response, fibrosis, and tumorigenesis in these CRDs. This review synthesizes recent evidence highlighting the multifaceted roles and underlying mechanisms of TNC in the context of these CRDs.
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