Periostin (POSTN)

Periostin (POSTN), also known as osteoblast-specific factor 2, is a secreted extracellular matrix protein that plays a pivotal role in cell adhesion, tissue remodeling, and the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) (UniProt Q15063). It acts as a ligand for alpha-v-beta-3 and alpha-v-beta-5 integrins, triggering signaling pathways such as PI3K/Akt and MAPK that promote cell survival, migration, and fibrosis (PMID: 25544605). While essential for normal development and wound healing, its dysregulation is a hallmark of several pathological states, including Th2-driven asthma, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, and various metastatic cancers (PMID: 21862742). Specific pathological mutants of the POSTN gene, such as the p.Gly437Glu variant, have been identified as the cause of autosomal recessive amelogenesis imperfecta and periodontal ligament degradation, highlighting its essential role in connective tissue homeostasis (PMID: 30059115). In oncology, periostin is often overexpressed in the tumor microenvironment, where it facilitates the formation of the pre-metastatic niche and promotes tumor cell stemness. Therapeutic development focuses on monoclonal antibodies, such as OC-20, that neutralize periostin or block its interaction with integrins to arrest fibrosis and tumor progression (PMID: 24631835). Additionally, serum periostin levels serve as a critical biomarker for identifying patients likely to respond to IL-13 targeted therapies, such as lebrikizumab, in respiratory diseases.

Other names

Osteoblast-specific factor 2OSF-2PNPeriostin-like factorPathological periostin variants

Neutralization of secreted periostin to prevent its binding to integrin receptors (alpha-v-beta-3, alpha-v-beta-5), thereby inhibiting downstream pro-fibrotic and pro-metastatic signaling pathways.