Integrins and pulmonary fibrosis: Pathogenic roles and therapeutic opportunities

Characterized by the formation of fibrotic scars, pulmonary fibrosis (PF) involves a complex pathogenesis, limited treatment options, and a high mortality rate. Integrins—heterodimeric transmembrane proteins composed of α and β subunits—mediate extracellular matrix remodeling and regulate the physi...

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Main Authors: Zhangyang Bi, Guodong Zang, Xiaodong Wang, Li Tian, Wei Zhang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Association of Basic Medical Sciences of Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina 2025-06-01
Series:Biomolecules & Biomedicine
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Online Access:https://www.bjbms.org/ojs/index.php/bjbms/article/view/12545
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author Zhangyang Bi
Guodong Zang
Xiaodong Wang
Li Tian
Wei Zhang
author_facet Zhangyang Bi
Guodong Zang
Xiaodong Wang
Li Tian
Wei Zhang
author_sort Zhangyang Bi
collection DOAJ
description Characterized by the formation of fibrotic scars, pulmonary fibrosis (PF) involves a complex pathogenesis, limited treatment options, and a high mortality rate. Integrins—heterodimeric transmembrane proteins composed of α and β subunits—mediate extracellular matrix remodeling and regulate the physiological functions of epithelial, mesenchymal, and immune cells through "inside-out" and "outside-in" signaling pathways. These molecules play a critical role in the initiation and progression of PF. Due to their central regulatory functions, a range of integrin-targeted therapies has been developed. However, the complex pathophysiology of PF and the structural diversity of integrins pose significant challenges to targeted treatment. In this study, we systematically delineated the signaling networks mediated by the full spectrum of integrin family members and uncovered the molecular mechanisms by which they contribute to PF through immunoregulatory pathways. We also reviewed the development of integrin-based therapies from preclinical studies to clinical trials and discussed current priorities in clinical, basic, and translational research. These insights may provide new perspectives for the diagnosis and treatment of PF. 
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spelling doaj-art-3fa43419166e47f185f12e186a6c346c2025-08-20T02:34:56ZengAssociation of Basic Medical Sciences of Federation of Bosnia and HerzegovinaBiomolecules & Biomedicine2831-08962831-090X2025-06-0110.17305/bb.2025.12545Integrins and pulmonary fibrosis: Pathogenic roles and therapeutic opportunitiesZhangyang Bi0https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3000-9789Guodong Zang1Xiaodong Wang2Li Tian3Wei Zhang4Clinical Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, The First Clinical Medical College of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, ChinaDepartment of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Chinese Medicine, Jinan, ChinaDepartment of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Chinese Medicine, Jinan, ChinaDepartment of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Chinese Medicine, Jinan, ChinaDepartment of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China Characterized by the formation of fibrotic scars, pulmonary fibrosis (PF) involves a complex pathogenesis, limited treatment options, and a high mortality rate. Integrins—heterodimeric transmembrane proteins composed of α and β subunits—mediate extracellular matrix remodeling and regulate the physiological functions of epithelial, mesenchymal, and immune cells through "inside-out" and "outside-in" signaling pathways. These molecules play a critical role in the initiation and progression of PF. Due to their central regulatory functions, a range of integrin-targeted therapies has been developed. However, the complex pathophysiology of PF and the structural diversity of integrins pose significant challenges to targeted treatment. In this study, we systematically delineated the signaling networks mediated by the full spectrum of integrin family members and uncovered the molecular mechanisms by which they contribute to PF through immunoregulatory pathways. We also reviewed the development of integrin-based therapies from preclinical studies to clinical trials and discussed current priorities in clinical, basic, and translational research. These insights may provide new perspectives for the diagnosis and treatment of PF.  https://www.bjbms.org/ojs/index.php/bjbms/article/view/12545integrinpulmonary fibrosisPFtargeted therapy
spellingShingle Zhangyang Bi
Guodong Zang
Xiaodong Wang
Li Tian
Wei Zhang
Integrins and pulmonary fibrosis: Pathogenic roles and therapeutic opportunities
Biomolecules & Biomedicine
integrin
pulmonary fibrosis
PF
targeted therapy
title Integrins and pulmonary fibrosis: Pathogenic roles and therapeutic opportunities
title_full Integrins and pulmonary fibrosis: Pathogenic roles and therapeutic opportunities
title_fullStr Integrins and pulmonary fibrosis: Pathogenic roles and therapeutic opportunities
title_full_unstemmed Integrins and pulmonary fibrosis: Pathogenic roles and therapeutic opportunities
title_short Integrins and pulmonary fibrosis: Pathogenic roles and therapeutic opportunities
title_sort integrins and pulmonary fibrosis pathogenic roles and therapeutic opportunities
topic integrin
pulmonary fibrosis
PF
targeted therapy
url https://www.bjbms.org/ojs/index.php/bjbms/article/view/12545
work_keys_str_mv AT zhangyangbi integrinsandpulmonaryfibrosispathogenicrolesandtherapeuticopportunities
AT guodongzang integrinsandpulmonaryfibrosispathogenicrolesandtherapeuticopportunities
AT xiaodongwang integrinsandpulmonaryfibrosispathogenicrolesandtherapeuticopportunities
AT litian integrinsandpulmonaryfibrosispathogenicrolesandtherapeuticopportunities
AT weizhang integrinsandpulmonaryfibrosispathogenicrolesandtherapeuticopportunities