Extracellular actin in health and disease

• Published in: Biochemistry (Moscow) Vol. 82; no. 1; pp. 1 - 12
• Main Authors: Sudakov, N. P., Klimenkov, I. V., Byvaltsev, V. A., Nikiforov, S. B., Konstantinov, Yu. M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Moscow Pleiades Publishing 2017; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Actin; Actins - blood; Actins - immunology; Animals; Autoantibodies - blood; Autoantibodies - immunology; Autoantigens - blood; Autoantigens - immunology; Autoimmune Diseases - blood; Autoimmune Diseases - diagnosis; Autoimmune Diseases - immunology; Biochemistry; Biological markers; Biomarkers; Biomarkers - blood; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biomedicine; Bioorganic Chemistry; Extracellular matrix; Humans; Immunoglobulins; Life Sciences; Microbiology; Pathology; Physiological aspects; Prognosis; Review; actin; anti-actin antibodies; gelsolin; danger associated molecular patterns; biomarkers; pathologies; Gc-globulin
• ISSN: 0006-2979; 1608-3040
• DOI: 10.1134/S0006297917010011

This review considers the functions of extracellular actin–cell surface bound, associated with extracellular matrix, or freely circulating. The role of this protein in different pathological processes is analyzed: its toxic effects and involvement in autoimmune diseases as an autoantigen. The extracellular actin clearance system and its role in protection against the negative effects of actin are characterized. Levels of free-circulating actin, anti-actin immunoglobulins, and components of the actin clearance system as prognostic biomarkers for different diseases are reviewed. Experimental approaches to protection against excessive amounts of free-circulating F-actin are discussed.