The function of the inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitors in the development of disease

Abstract

Through the formation of covalent connections with hyaluronic acid (HA), the inter-α-trypsin inhibitor (IαI) family collaborates to preserve the stability of the extracellular matrix (ECM). The five distinct homologous heavy chains (ITIH) and one type of light chain make up the IαI family. ITIH alone or in combination with bikunin (BK) has been proven to have important impacts in a number of earlier investigations. This implies that BK and ITIH might be crucial to both physiological and pathological processes. The functions of BK and ITIH in various pathophysiological processes are discussed independently in this paper. In the meanwhile, this study offers suggestions for further research on the roles of BK and ITIH in the course of disease and summarizes the plausible mechanisms of the previous studies.

Keywords: ITIHs; bikunin (BK); extracellular matrix (ECM); hyaluronic acid (HA); inter-α-trypsin inhibitor (IαI) family.

Figure 1

Composition of inter-a-trypsin inhibitors and serum-derived hyaluronan-associated proteins. The IαI family is assembled from light chain-bikunin and five homologous heavy chains.

Figure 2

Stress, apoptosis, proteases, aging, signaling molecules, cytokines, HA metabolism, and female ovulation processes are all impacted by bakunin. Its responsibilities and functions as an anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor invasion protein are also significant.