MAFB: a key regulator of myeloid commitment involved in hematological diseases

Abstract The MAFB protein, a member of the MAF family of bZip transcription factors, plays a pivotal role in various biological processes, including cell differentiation, development, and homeostasis. Characterized by its selective expression in monocytes and macrophages, MAFB has been shown to play...

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Main Authors: Antonio Benedetto Ventura, Tiziana Loconte, Antonio Negri, Luigi Viggiano, Giuseppe Fiermonte, Sabino Ciavarella, Attilio Guarini, Giacomo Volpe
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Publishing Group 2025-06-01
Series:Cell Death Discovery
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41420-025-02551-4
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author Antonio Benedetto Ventura
Tiziana Loconte
Antonio Negri
Luigi Viggiano
Giuseppe Fiermonte
Sabino Ciavarella
Attilio Guarini
Giacomo Volpe
author_facet Antonio Benedetto Ventura
Tiziana Loconte
Antonio Negri
Luigi Viggiano
Giuseppe Fiermonte
Sabino Ciavarella
Attilio Guarini
Giacomo Volpe
author_sort Antonio Benedetto Ventura
collection DOAJ
description Abstract The MAFB protein, a member of the MAF family of bZip transcription factors, plays a pivotal role in various biological processes, including cell differentiation, development, and homeostasis. Characterized by its selective expression in monocytes and macrophages, MAFB has been shown to play a crucial role during myeloid lineage differentiation, acting as a critical determinant in the transition from multipotent progenitors to fully differentiated monocytes. By modulating the expression of genes associated with immune activation and inflammation, MAFB plays a vital role in maintaining immune homeostasis and responding to pathogenic challenges. Dysregulation of MAFB expression or function has been implicated in several pathological conditions, including hematological malignancies and metabolic disorders. In particular, aberrant MAFB activity has been associated with the progression of diseases such as multiple myeloma and acute myeloid leukemia as well as other solid tumors, where it may contribute to the survival and proliferation of malignant cells, thereby promoting disease progression. MAFB and downstream targets of its transcriptional network are now being regarded as predictive biomarkers for certain types of tumors as well as being considered as potential therapeutic targets for cancer treatment. In this review, we summarize current knowledge on both physiological and pathological roles of MAFB and highlight the impact of its deregulation on hematological cancer initiation and progression.
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spelling doaj-art-0c8d2af75ed54c718280e3f234e1983e2025-08-20T02:39:48ZengNature Publishing GroupCell Death Discovery2058-77162025-06-011111910.1038/s41420-025-02551-4MAFB: a key regulator of myeloid commitment involved in hematological diseasesAntonio Benedetto Ventura0Tiziana Loconte1Antonio Negri2Luigi Viggiano3Giuseppe Fiermonte4Sabino Ciavarella5Attilio Guarini6Giacomo Volpe7Hematology and Cell Therapy Unit, IRCCS Istituto Tumori “Giovanni Paolo II”Hematology and Cell Therapy Unit, IRCCS Istituto Tumori “Giovanni Paolo II”Hematology and Cell Therapy Unit, IRCCS Istituto Tumori “Giovanni Paolo II”Department of Biology, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”Department of Bioscience, Biotechnology and Environment, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”Hematology and Cell Therapy Unit, IRCCS Istituto Tumori “Giovanni Paolo II”Hematology and Cell Therapy Unit, IRCCS Istituto Tumori “Giovanni Paolo II”Hematology and Cell Therapy Unit, IRCCS Istituto Tumori “Giovanni Paolo II”Abstract The MAFB protein, a member of the MAF family of bZip transcription factors, plays a pivotal role in various biological processes, including cell differentiation, development, and homeostasis. Characterized by its selective expression in monocytes and macrophages, MAFB has been shown to play a crucial role during myeloid lineage differentiation, acting as a critical determinant in the transition from multipotent progenitors to fully differentiated monocytes. By modulating the expression of genes associated with immune activation and inflammation, MAFB plays a vital role in maintaining immune homeostasis and responding to pathogenic challenges. Dysregulation of MAFB expression or function has been implicated in several pathological conditions, including hematological malignancies and metabolic disorders. In particular, aberrant MAFB activity has been associated with the progression of diseases such as multiple myeloma and acute myeloid leukemia as well as other solid tumors, where it may contribute to the survival and proliferation of malignant cells, thereby promoting disease progression. MAFB and downstream targets of its transcriptional network are now being regarded as predictive biomarkers for certain types of tumors as well as being considered as potential therapeutic targets for cancer treatment. In this review, we summarize current knowledge on both physiological and pathological roles of MAFB and highlight the impact of its deregulation on hematological cancer initiation and progression.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41420-025-02551-4
spellingShingle Antonio Benedetto Ventura
Tiziana Loconte
Antonio Negri
Luigi Viggiano
Giuseppe Fiermonte
Sabino Ciavarella
Attilio Guarini
Giacomo Volpe
MAFB: a key regulator of myeloid commitment involved in hematological diseases
Cell Death Discovery
title MAFB: a key regulator of myeloid commitment involved in hematological diseases
title_full MAFB: a key regulator of myeloid commitment involved in hematological diseases
title_fullStr MAFB: a key regulator of myeloid commitment involved in hematological diseases
title_full_unstemmed MAFB: a key regulator of myeloid commitment involved in hematological diseases
title_short MAFB: a key regulator of myeloid commitment involved in hematological diseases
title_sort mafb a key regulator of myeloid commitment involved in hematological diseases
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41420-025-02551-4
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