Actin-Binding Proteins as Potential Biomarkers for Chronic Inflammation-Induced Cancer Diagnosis and Therapy

Abstract

Actin-binding proteins (ABPs), by interacting with actin, regulate the polymerization, depolymerization, bundling, and cross-linking of actin filaments, directly or indirectly, thereby mediating the maintenance of cell morphology, cell movement, and many other biological functions. Consequently, these functions of ABPs help regulate cancer cell invasion and metastasis when cancer occurs. In recent years, a variety of ABPs have been found to be abnormally expressed in various cancers, indicating that the detection and interventions of unusual ABP expression to alter this are available for the treatment of cancer. The early stages of most cancer development involve long-term chronic inflammation or repeated stimulation. This is the case for breast cancer, gastric cancer, lung cancer, prostate cancer, liver cancer, esophageal cancer, pancreatic cancer, melanoma, and colorectal cancer. This article discusses the relationship between chronic inflammation and the above-mentioned cancers, emphatically introduces relevant research on the abnormal expression of ABPs in chronic inflammatory diseases, and reviews research on the expression of different ABPs in the above-mentioned cancers. Furthermore, there is a close relationship between ABP-induced inflammation and cancer. In simple terms, abnormal expression of ABPs contributes to the chronic inflammation developing into cancer. Finally, we provide our viewpoint regarding these unusual ABPs serving as potential biomarkers for chronic inflammation-induced cancer diagnosis and therapy, and interventions to reverse the abnormal expression of ABPs represent a potential approach to preventing or treating the corresponding cancers.

Characterization of the Immune Infiltration Landscape and Identification of Prognostic Biomarkers for Esophageal Cancer

“…Actin-binding proteins, which play roles in multiple biological activities such as cell movement, cytokinesis, and other biological processes [38], are closely associated with invasion and metastasis in tumor cells, DNA repair, and transcription regulation [39]. Multiple actinbinding proteins were verified to be aberrantly expressed in various tumors, and were attributed to tumor invasion and metastasis [40]. GSVA enrichment analysis of immune subcomponent types showed that they were enriched in aspects related to the immune response, including negative regulation of mast cell activation, and NK cells.…”

Actin-Associated Proteins and Small Molecules Targeting the Actin Cytoskeleton

“…Such a domain has never been considered as a drug target. Although not many AAP-targeting drugs are promising for clinical use, AAPs have the potential to be used as biomarkers for some diseases; for example, some AAPs are upregulated in certain cancers [130][131][132][133][134].…”

Mechanotransduction in Skin Inflammation

“…The dysregulation of multiple actin-binding proteins can also play a role in the inflammatory processes in tissues [159]. For example, the actin crosslinking protein fascin is overexpressed in inflammatory bowel disease and is involved in immune cell locomotion and mechanotransduction through the nuclear envelope [160,161].…”