Physiological and pathological roles of Hic-5 in several organs (Review)

Integrins allow cells to adhere to the extracellular matrix and promote the recruitment of other integrins, resulting in the formation of focal adhesion sites at the binding sites. Focal adhesion sites play essential roles in the assembly of the cytoskeleton and are vital in shaping the structure of cells. They also play other regulatory roles by influencing numerous biological functions, such as cell proliferation and apoptosis. Hydrogen peroxide-inducible clone 5 (Hic-5) is a member of the Paxillin family of proteins and is an adhesive plaque scaffolding protein. Its expression can be detected in both vascular and smooth muscle cells. Thus, it plays an essential role in vascular remodeling, as well as in fibrotic diseases. Hic-5 functions as a coactivator of steroid receptors, thus playing a role in steroid hormone-dependent diseases. It also plays a vital role in the invasive metastasis of various types of cancer. Moreover, several studies have demonstrated that Hic-5 plays a critical role in transcriptional regulation, as well as in numerous signaling pathways. Therefore, the inhibition of the functions of Hic-5 may prevent the development or halt the progression of several diseases. Its use as a therapeutic target in future investigations may thus aid in the treatment of several diseases, including various types of cancer. The present review article focused on the expression and functions of Hic-5 in different organs, with the aim of highlighting novel possibilities for future research.