Secretoglobin family 3A member 2 (SCGB3A2)

Secretoglobin family 3A member 2 (SCGB3A2) is a small secreted cytokine-like protein of approximately 10 kDa, predominantly expressed by airway epithelial Club cells. It acts as an anti-inflammatory, anti-fibrotic, growth-stimulatory, and anti-cancer molecule, with significant influence on lung development, airway remodeling, and immune regulation[1][2][5]. SCGB3A2 binds to the macrophage scavenger receptor MARCO and syndecan-1 (SDC1), through which it can deliver LPS into cells and activate inflammatory cell death (pyroptosis) in a manner relevant to pathogen clearance and cancer cell elimination[1][3]. Altered levels of SCGB3A2 are associated with several lung diseases including asthma, COPD, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, and lung cancer, and its presence can serve as a biomarker for airway epithelial integrity and disease progression[1][5]. SCGB3A2 is therefore a promising therapeutic target in the contexts of pulmonary inflammation, fibrosis, and oncology.

Other names

Uteroglobin-related protein 1UGRP1Pneumo secretory protein 1PNSP1LU103pnSP-1UNQ566/PRO1128

Acts as an anti-inflammatory through inhibition of phospholipase A2[1] Binds lipopolysaccharide (LPS), delivers LPS into cells via syndecan-1, triggers pyroptosis in cancer cells via non-canonical inflammasome pathway (caspase-4 in human, caspase-11 in mouse)[1][3] Suppresses TGF-β signaling, induces SMAD7 and STAT1 phosphorylation, counteracts fibrosis[1]