Future Perspectives and Conclusions from Animal Models of CHI3L1-Related Inflammation-Associated Cancer

Among the molecules implicated in inflammation-associated tumorigenesis, Chitinase 3-like 1 (CHI3L1/YKL-40/Brp-39) has emerged as a particularly compelling target due to its multifaced roles in immune regulation, tissue remodeling, and cancer progression. Elevated CHI3L1 expression is observed in va...

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Main Authors: Emiko Mizoguchi, Siyuan Wang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-06-01
Series:Cells
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4409/14/13/982
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author Emiko Mizoguchi
Siyuan Wang
author_facet Emiko Mizoguchi
Siyuan Wang
author_sort Emiko Mizoguchi
collection DOAJ
description Among the molecules implicated in inflammation-associated tumorigenesis, Chitinase 3-like 1 (CHI3L1/YKL-40/Brp-39) has emerged as a particularly compelling target due to its multifaced roles in immune regulation, tissue remodeling, and cancer progression. Elevated CHI3L1 expression is observed in various human cancers and corresponding animal models. CHI3L1 directly promotes tumor cell proliferation and angiogenesis and also contributes to immune evasion by establishing an immunosuppressive environment in inflamed tissues. Mechanistically, CHI3L1 exerts its effects through the modulation of STAT3, MAPK, and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways and by interacting with cell surface receptors, such as IL-13Rα2 and RAGE. Studies using transgenic and knockout mouse models have revealed a strong association between CHI3L1 expression and cancer progression. In models of colon and lung cancer, CHI3L1 overexpression correlates with increased tumor size and number, whereas CHI3L1 deficiency markedly suppresses tumor formation. However, its involvement appears to be context-dependent and varies among different epithelial tumor types. These findings suggest that CHI3L1 is a potential therapeutic target and diagnostic biomarker for inflammation-associated cancers. Animal studies provide valuable insights into the immunological mechanisms of CHI3L1-mediated tumorigenesis but also highlight the need for cautious interpretation due to inherent technical limitations.
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spelling doaj-art-ed94e5d1637f44ae8ac5d4852361c2dc2025-08-20T03:16:55ZengMDPI AGCells2073-44092025-06-01141398210.3390/cells14130982Future Perspectives and Conclusions from Animal Models of CHI3L1-Related Inflammation-Associated CancerEmiko Mizoguchi0Siyuan Wang1Department of Cell Biology, Kurume University School of Medicine, Fukuoka 8300011, JapanDepartment of Cell Biology, Kurume University School of Medicine, Fukuoka 8300011, JapanAmong the molecules implicated in inflammation-associated tumorigenesis, Chitinase 3-like 1 (CHI3L1/YKL-40/Brp-39) has emerged as a particularly compelling target due to its multifaced roles in immune regulation, tissue remodeling, and cancer progression. Elevated CHI3L1 expression is observed in various human cancers and corresponding animal models. CHI3L1 directly promotes tumor cell proliferation and angiogenesis and also contributes to immune evasion by establishing an immunosuppressive environment in inflamed tissues. Mechanistically, CHI3L1 exerts its effects through the modulation of STAT3, MAPK, and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways and by interacting with cell surface receptors, such as IL-13Rα2 and RAGE. Studies using transgenic and knockout mouse models have revealed a strong association between CHI3L1 expression and cancer progression. In models of colon and lung cancer, CHI3L1 overexpression correlates with increased tumor size and number, whereas CHI3L1 deficiency markedly suppresses tumor formation. However, its involvement appears to be context-dependent and varies among different epithelial tumor types. These findings suggest that CHI3L1 is a potential therapeutic target and diagnostic biomarker for inflammation-associated cancers. Animal studies provide valuable insights into the immunological mechanisms of CHI3L1-mediated tumorigenesis but also highlight the need for cautious interpretation due to inherent technical limitations.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4409/14/13/982chitinase 3-like 1dysplasiacolitisfibrosiscarcinogenesis
spellingShingle Emiko Mizoguchi
Siyuan Wang
Future Perspectives and Conclusions from Animal Models of CHI3L1-Related Inflammation-Associated Cancer
Cells
chitinase 3-like 1
dysplasia
colitis
fibrosis
carcinogenesis
title Future Perspectives and Conclusions from Animal Models of CHI3L1-Related Inflammation-Associated Cancer
title_full Future Perspectives and Conclusions from Animal Models of CHI3L1-Related Inflammation-Associated Cancer
title_fullStr Future Perspectives and Conclusions from Animal Models of CHI3L1-Related Inflammation-Associated Cancer
title_full_unstemmed Future Perspectives and Conclusions from Animal Models of CHI3L1-Related Inflammation-Associated Cancer
title_short Future Perspectives and Conclusions from Animal Models of CHI3L1-Related Inflammation-Associated Cancer
title_sort future perspectives and conclusions from animal models of chi3l1 related inflammation associated cancer
topic chitinase 3-like 1
dysplasia
colitis
fibrosis
carcinogenesis
url https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4409/14/13/982
work_keys_str_mv AT emikomizoguchi futureperspectivesandconclusionsfromanimalmodelsofchi3l1relatedinflammationassociatedcancer
AT siyuanwang futureperspectivesandconclusionsfromanimalmodelsofchi3l1relatedinflammationassociatedcancer