The SerpinB3 protein, known to be present in several types of cancer, has been identified as a key player in the skin healing process. The study, published in September in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), reveals that the molecule is activated shortly after injury and helps cells rebuild epithelial tissue — a previously unknown biological role.
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SerpinB3, also called squamous cell carcinoma antigen 1 (SCCA-1), is widely used as a tumor marker, especially in liver, lung, and head and neck cancers. But, according to the team at Arizona State University in the USA, it has a natural function in the body: participating in the skin’s repair response after injury.
The scientists analyzed human tissue and animal models and observed that whenever an injury occurred, the cells at the edge of the wound rapidly increased protein production.
This increase was confirmed in experiments on human skin grown in the laboratory and in wounds of mice. The equivalent form of the protein in these animals, called Serpinb3a, showed the same behavior.
During the investigation, researchers realized that SerpinB3 causes skin cells to become more mobile and less sticky, making it easier for them to “slide” to cover the affected area. This temporary change in cellular behavior resembles a process called epithelial-mesenchymal transition, which is common in the early stages of regeneration and is also observed in tumors.
In tests, animals treated with Serpinb3a showed faster wound closure and better organization of collagen fibers, which form the supportive structure of new skin. These results indicate that protein not only helps speed up the process, but also helps improve the quality of the tissue formed.
The researchers describe SerpinB3 as a “molecular switch.” Under normal conditions, it is activated to restore the skin and promote its regeneration. In some types of cancer, the same mechanism is “hijacked” by malignant cells, which use them to multiply and invade other tissues. This dual role explains why the protein is abundant in aggressive tumors.
In addition to helping to better understand cancer behavior, this discovery could open the way to new treatments for chronic wounds, such as diabetic ulcers or burns, where skin repair is slow and ineffective. Stimulating natural production of SerpinB3 or applying safe versions of the protein could become a therapeutic strategy in the future.
However, scientists point out the need for caution. It is not yet known whether artificially increasing protein levels in humans is safe or whether it can activate unwanted processes, such as excessive cell proliferation. However, the study redefines the role of SerpinB3: starting as a simple tumor marker, it is now recognized as a natural tool for tissue regeneration.
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