REVIEW: Extracellular Actin in Health and Disease

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N. P. Sudakov^1,2,3,4, I. V. Klimenkov^3,4, V. A. Byvaltsev¹, S. B. Nikiforov¹, and Yu. M. Konstantinov^3,5*

¹Irkutsk Surgery and Traumatology Research Center, 664003 Irkutsk, Russia; E-mail: npsudakov@rambler.ru

²Irkutsk Research Center, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 664033 Irkutsk, Russia

³Irkutsk State University, 664003 Irkutsk, Russia; E-mail: yukon@sifibr.irk.ru

⁴Limnological Institute, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 664033 Irkutsk, Russia

⁵Siberian Institute of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 664033 Irkutsk, Russia

^* To whom correspondence should be addressed.

Received June 29, 2016; Revision received July 25, 2016

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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.

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KEY WORDS: actin, danger associated molecular patterns, gelsolin, Gc-globulin, anti-actin antibodies, pathologies, biomarkers

DOI: 10.1134/S0006297917010011

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