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. 2025 Jul 25;23:354. doi: 10.1186/s12964-025-02365-y

Table 3.

The expression and pathobiological functions of TSPs in fibrotic and neoplastic tissues modulated by matrix stiffness

Pathological States Expression Tissue/Cell Type Mechanical Stimulus Name of TSPs TSPs Function Ref.
Hepatic fibrosis Serum (T2DM cohorts) Liver stiffness progression TSP-2↑ Serving as a stage-specific diagnostic biomarker of fibrotic severity [100]
Hepatic fibrosis Serum Liver stiffness progression TSP-2↑ Independent predictor of advanced fibrosis (≥ F3) development [101]
Hepatic fibrosis Diabetic fibrotic lesions fibroblasts ECM crosslinking dysregulation TSP-2↑ Mediating fibroblast dysfunction via cytoskeletal dynamics dysregulation [104]
Stiff skin syndrome (SSS) Dermal fibrotic compartment Dermal matrix stiffening TSP-1↑ Driving inflammation-independent dermal fibrosis via ECM deposition (Col1a2, fibronectin-1) [102]
Scleroderma Scleroderma fibroblasts TSP-1↑ Promoting ECM accumulation via TGF-β mechanotransduction [103]
Breast cancer Tumor microenvironment/exosomes Matrix stiffening TSP-1↑ Enhancing invasiveness via MMP-mediated ECM degradation and FAK-dependent cytoskeletal remodeling [105]
Breast cancer Tumor microenvironment Stiffness-tuned exosomal release TSP-1↑ Enhancing intercellular communication networks that propagate metastatic phenotypes across rigid tumor niches [106]
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) Stiff matrix conditions TSP-1↑ Inducing EMT and chemoresistance [48]