Periostin: A Potential Biomarker and Therapeutic Target in Pulmonary Diseases

J Pharm Pharm Sci. 2022:25:137-148. doi: 10.18433/jpps32306.

Abstract

Periostin is a matricellular, nonstructural protein belonging to the fasciclin family and is encoded by the POSTN gene in humans. Periostin plays an important role in maintaining a normal tissue matrix in the lungs. Despite the vital role as a structural mediator in tissue growth and repair, periostin is involved in the pathogenic mechanism during tissue remodeling and fibrosis. Periostin is a chemoattractant mediator, promotes eosinophil recruitment and adhesion on the airways sub-epithelial membrane of asthmatic patients. POSTN gene was identified as one of the highly expressed genes induced by interleukins IL-13, IL-5 and IL-4 - the key cytokines of Th2 immune responses in the bronchial tissues of asthmatic patients. This review highlights the potential role of periostin as a validated biomarker in respiratory disease progression and its candidacy to predict the response to treatments targeting Th-2 cytokines in bronchial asthma. In addition, its potential role in COPD, IPF, lung cancer and lung infection, is also speculated. Keywords Periostin, Asthma, Pneumonia, COPD, Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, Biomarker.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Biomarkers / metabolism
  • Fibrosis
  • Humans
  • Lung Diseases*

Substances

  • Biomarkers