IGFBP-6 as a potential therapeutic target in musculoskeletal disorders

Insulin-like Growth Factor Binding Protein 6 (IGFBP-6) is a member of the IGFBP family with unique and relevant biological properties. Emerging evidence suggests that IGFBP-6 plays a critical role in musculoskeletal homeostasis and pathology, insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-dependent mechanisms to include IGF-independent effects on cell proliferation, migration, and differentiation. IGFBP-6 is implicated in the regulation of inflammatory and fibrotic processes within articular tissues and tendons, influencing disease onset and progression.

This review explores current knowledge on the molecular and cellular functions of IGFBP-6 in bone, muscle, articular cartilage and tendon biology, highlights its contribution to degenerative and reparative mechanisms, and discusses its potential as a biomarker and therapeutic target in musculoskeletal disorders of humans, laboratory animals, and domestic animals.

IGFBP-6 is expected to shift from a peripheral IGF modulator to a key node in musculoskeletal homeostasis as a result of the convergence of mechanical and extracellular signaling paradigms. A new avenue for focused intervention is defined by its junction with extracellular vesicle-mediated communication and IGF/SHH signaling. A new class of mechano-epigenetic modulators for fibrotic and articular diseases could be introduced by IGFBP-6-based therapies, which capitalize on its extracellular accessibility and domain-specific versatility.