Affiliation:
1. Posttranscriptional Gene Regulation Cancer Research and Experimental Hemostasis University Medical Center Mainz (UMCM) Mainz Germany
2. Center for Thrombosis and Hemostasis (CTH) UMCM Mainz Germany
3. German Consortium for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK) DKFZ Frankfurt‐Mainz Frankfurt am Main Germany
Abstract
AbstractHeat shock protein 47 (HSP47) is a chaperone protein responsible for regulating collagen maturation and transport, directly impacting collagen synthesis levels. Aberrant HSP47 expression or malfunction has been associated with collagen‐related disorders, most notably fibrosis. Recent reports have uncovered new functions of HSP47 in various cellular processes. Hsp47 dysregulation in these alternative roles has been linked to various diseases, such as cancer, autoimmune and neurodegenerative disorders, thereby highlighting its potential as both a diagnostic biomarker and a therapeutic target. In this review, we discuss the pathophysiological roles of HSP47 in human diseases, its potential as a diagnostic tool, clinical screening techniques and its role as a target for therapeutic interventions.