Integrin beta-like 1 (ITGBL1) (ITGBL1)

Integrin beta-like 1 (ITGBL1) is a secreted protein characterized by ten EGF-like repeats, sharing structural homology with the extracellular domain of integrin beta subunits but lacking transmembrane and cytoplasmic regions (UniProt: O95965) [1]. It functions as a critical modulator of the extracellular matrix (ECM) and cellular signaling, particularly the TGF-beta pathway, which is central to tissue remodeling and oncogenesis (Cell Death Dis, 2015) [2]. While ITGBL1 expression is minimal in most healthy adult tissues, it is significantly upregulated in various cancers—including colorectal, breast, and gastric—and in chronic fibrotic diseases of the liver and lungs (Oncotarget, 2017; J Hepatol, 2017) [3, 5]. In malignancy, ITGBL1 promotes the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), facilitating tumor cell invasion and metastasis to distant organs like the bone (Nat Commun, 2018) [4]. In fibrotic conditions, it drives the activation of myofibroblasts and the excessive deposition of collagen (J Hepatol, 2017) [5]. Although no clinical-stage drugs currently target ITGBL1, its specific overexpression in disease states and its role in driving aggressive phenotypes make it a promising candidate for therapeutic development and a potential prognostic biomarker (Front Oncol, 2021) [6].

Other names

Osteoblast-specific cysteine-rich proteinOSCPTen-integrin EGF-like repeat domain-containing proteinTIED

ITGBL1 modulates the TGF-beta signaling pathway by interacting with TGF-beta signaling components in the extracellular space, thereby enhancing Smad2/3 phosphorylation and promoting the expression of genes involved in EMT and fibrogenesis (Cell Death Dis, 2015; J Hepatol, 2017) [2, 5].