Pathologic Signaling and Disease Implications of Insulin-like Growth Factor Binding Proteins in Cancer, Cardiovascular Disease, and Fibrosis

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Molecular Biology
• Cell Biology

Background:

• The insulin-like growth factor binding protein (IGFBP) family comprises seven members.
• These proteins regulate canonical insulin-like growth factor (IGF) signaling.
• Emerging evidence highlights their roles in non-canonical signaling pathways.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review shared pathologic mechanisms of IGFBP family members in diseases.
• To explore unique and redundant properties of IGFBPs.
• To provide insight into IGFBP regulation in diverse cellular processes.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of IGFBP family functions.
• Analysis of IGFBP roles in cancer and fibrosis.
• Exploration of IGFBP involvement in immunity, TGF-β signaling, hypoxia, angiogenesis, and senescence.

Main Results:

• IGFBP family members share pathologic mechanisms in diseases.
• IGFBP regulation impacts cell metabolism, immunity, and senescence.
• IGFBP functions extend to TGF-β signaling, hypoxia, and angiogenesis.

Conclusions:

• Understanding IGFBP family complexity is crucial for disease pathology.
• IGFBP regulation offers potential as biomarkers and therapeutics.
• Leveraging IGFBP regulation may ameliorate diverse organ pathologies.