The role of laminins in cancer pathobiology: a comprehensive review
Abstract Laminins (LMs) are a family of heterotrimeric glycoproteins that form the structural foundation of basement membranes (BM). By acting as molecular bridges between cells and the extracellular matrix (ECM) through integrins and other surface receptors, they regulate key cellular signals that...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
BMC
2025-01-01
|
| Series: | Journal of Translational Medicine |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12967-025-06079-0 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1832594461807345664 |
|---|---|
| author | Elena Nonnast Emilia Mira Santos Mañes |
| author_facet | Elena Nonnast Emilia Mira Santos Mañes |
| author_sort | Elena Nonnast |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Laminins (LMs) are a family of heterotrimeric glycoproteins that form the structural foundation of basement membranes (BM). By acting as molecular bridges between cells and the extracellular matrix (ECM) through integrins and other surface receptors, they regulate key cellular signals that influence cell behavior and tissue architecture. Despite their physiological importance, our understanding of the role of LMs in cancer pathobiology remains fragmented. In this article, we review the diverse functions of LMs in promoting cancer cell proliferation, adhesion, and migration—critical steps in cancer metastasis. Beyond their direct effects on tumor cells, LMs influence stromal interactions and modulate tumor microenvironment dynamics, affecting processes such as angiogenesis, immune cell infiltration, cancer-associated fibroblast activation, and immune evasion. Understanding the complex roles of LMs in cancer biology, as well as their differential expression patterns in malignancies, could provide new diagnostic tools for predicting disease outcomes and pave the way for innovative therapeutic strategies, such as targeting LM-receptor interactions or modulating ECM dynamics to impede tumor growth and metastasis. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-19a6b1c285404bbc98060f0ed6ae8305 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1479-5876 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Translational Medicine |
| spelling | doaj-art-19a6b1c285404bbc98060f0ed6ae83052025-01-19T12:37:07ZengBMCJournal of Translational Medicine1479-58762025-01-0123112010.1186/s12967-025-06079-0The role of laminins in cancer pathobiology: a comprehensive reviewElena Nonnast0Emilia Mira1Santos Mañes2Department of Immunology and Oncology, Centro Nacional Biotecnología (CNB-CSIC)Department of Immunology and Oncology, Centro Nacional Biotecnología (CNB-CSIC)Department of Immunology and Oncology, Centro Nacional Biotecnología (CNB-CSIC)Abstract Laminins (LMs) are a family of heterotrimeric glycoproteins that form the structural foundation of basement membranes (BM). By acting as molecular bridges between cells and the extracellular matrix (ECM) through integrins and other surface receptors, they regulate key cellular signals that influence cell behavior and tissue architecture. Despite their physiological importance, our understanding of the role of LMs in cancer pathobiology remains fragmented. In this article, we review the diverse functions of LMs in promoting cancer cell proliferation, adhesion, and migration—critical steps in cancer metastasis. Beyond their direct effects on tumor cells, LMs influence stromal interactions and modulate tumor microenvironment dynamics, affecting processes such as angiogenesis, immune cell infiltration, cancer-associated fibroblast activation, and immune evasion. Understanding the complex roles of LMs in cancer biology, as well as their differential expression patterns in malignancies, could provide new diagnostic tools for predicting disease outcomes and pave the way for innovative therapeutic strategies, such as targeting LM-receptor interactions or modulating ECM dynamics to impede tumor growth and metastasis.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12967-025-06079-0Extracellular matrixBasement membraneCancer PrognosisTumor biomarkersMetastasisTumor microenvironment |
| spellingShingle | Elena Nonnast Emilia Mira Santos Mañes The role of laminins in cancer pathobiology: a comprehensive review Journal of Translational Medicine Extracellular matrix Basement membrane Cancer Prognosis Tumor biomarkers Metastasis Tumor microenvironment |
| title | The role of laminins in cancer pathobiology: a comprehensive review |
| title_full | The role of laminins in cancer pathobiology: a comprehensive review |
| title_fullStr | The role of laminins in cancer pathobiology: a comprehensive review |
| title_full_unstemmed | The role of laminins in cancer pathobiology: a comprehensive review |
| title_short | The role of laminins in cancer pathobiology: a comprehensive review |
| title_sort | role of laminins in cancer pathobiology a comprehensive review |
| topic | Extracellular matrix Basement membrane Cancer Prognosis Tumor biomarkers Metastasis Tumor microenvironment |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12967-025-06079-0 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT elenanonnast theroleoflamininsincancerpathobiologyacomprehensivereview AT emiliamira theroleoflamininsincancerpathobiologyacomprehensivereview AT santosmanes theroleoflamininsincancerpathobiologyacomprehensivereview AT elenanonnast roleoflamininsincancerpathobiologyacomprehensivereview AT emiliamira roleoflamininsincancerpathobiologyacomprehensivereview AT santosmanes roleoflamininsincancerpathobiologyacomprehensivereview |