Volume 11,Issue 4
Research Progress on the Role of Integrin β1 in the Occurrence and Development of Liver Cancer
Integrin β1 (ITGB1) is a key member of the transmembrane glycoprotein signaling receptor family and serves as a biomechanical conversion hub linking the extracellular matrix with intracellular signal transduction. During the malignant progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), abnormal expression of ITGB1 demonstrates its close association with liver cancer. Extensive research has confirmed that dysregulation of ITGB1 expression exhibits clear causal relationships with the pathogenesis and progression of various diseases and cancers, indicating that ITGB1 represents a potential therapeutic target for cancer treatment with significant research value. This review summarizes the molecular biological mechanisms of ITGB1 in HCC development, including its induction of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and promotion of invasive migration in HCC cells through activation of classical pathways such as TGF-β and Wnt/β-catenin, as well as enhancement of hepatocellular proliferation and nest-leaving apoptosis resistance via FAK/Src, PI3K/Akt, MAPK/ERK cascades, and even the PXN/YWHAZ/AKT cascade. As a mechanotransduction protein, in-depth exploration of ITGB1 further enriches biomechanical theory. Additionally, this review integrates monoclonal antibodies, novel non-RGD peptide analogs, and emerging PROTAC protein degradation technologies to summarize current therapeutic strategies for ITGB1 in tumor development. The study objectively evaluates the interactions between ITGB1 and the stromal-mechanical environment/immune microenvironment, discusses its biological roles, explores its potential as a cancer therapeutic target, and outlines future research directions and application prospects for ITGB1.
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