中间纤维的功能和研究进展

The Function and Research Progress of Intermediate Filaments

中间纤维(intermediate filaments, IFs)与微丝、微管共同组成细胞骨架的纤维网络体系。除了结构支撑作用,中间纤维在诸多信号转导通路中发挥了重要调控功能。此外,中间纤维还参与调控细胞运动、增殖、分化和凋亡等过程,相关基因突变或翻译后修饰会导致癌症、创伤、炎症、病原体感染及自身免疫等多种疾病。该综述将简要介绍中间纤维参与的细胞功能调控,并重点介绍与其他骨架体系的协同互作及参与相关疾病的调控。中间纤维作为参与多种生物功能和组织特异调控的重要元素,对其深入全面的研究将会对相关生理过程、病理机制和临床治疗具有重要意义。

Intermediate filaments(IFs),together with actin filaments and microtubules comprise a diverse and flexible cytoskeletal system.Besides mechanical support,IFs are involved in a wide range of cell signaling pathways.In addition,IFs-associated functions are essential for cell migration,cell proliferation,cell differentiation and apoptosis.Characteristically,the mutations and posttranslational modifications of IFs were found in various pathological processes,including cancer,tissue regeneration,inflammation,pathogen infection as well as immune responses.This review briefly summarizes the cellular function of IFs,and focuses on its interplay with other cytoskeletal systems and regulation of a variety of diseases.As multifactorial and tissue-specific integrators,the comprehensive study on IFs will contribute to diverse range of pathologies.