Source: Arizona State University | Edited by CCPH Research Communications
A breakthrough study from Arizona State University (ASU) has revealed a surprising dual role for a protein long associated with cancer. Known as SerpinB3, this protein—historically viewed as a biomarker for aggressive cancers—has now been found to play a critical part in the body’s natural wound-healing process.
The research, recently published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), demonstrates that SerpinB3 helps the skin repair itself after injury, offering new possibilities for wound management and regenerative medicine.
🔬 From Cancer Marker to Healing Catalyst
For more than four decades, SerpinB3—also called squamous cell carcinoma antigen-1—has been used in cancer diagnostics, particularly in detecting tumors in the lung, liver, and skin. Elevated levels typically signaled severe or fast-spreading disease.
However, researchers at ASU’s Biodesign Center for Biomaterials Innovation and Translation, led by Dr. Kaushal Rege and Dr. Jordan Yaron, discovered that SerpinB3 also acts as a biological repair agent. In damaged skin tissue, cells migrating into the wound bed produce large amounts of this protein, stimulating faster and more organized healing.
“When we looked at injured, healing skin, we found that cells moving into the wound bed were producing enormous amounts of this protein,” said Dr. Yaron. “It became clear that this is part of the machinery humans evolved to heal epithelial injuries—a process that cancer cells have learned to exploit.”
🩹 A New Pathway in Tissue Repair
The team found that SerpinB3 activates keratinocytes—the skin cells responsible for closing wounds—making them more mobile and efficient at covering damaged areas. When extra SerpinB3 was introduced in lab tests, skin cells moved to repair wounds more quickly, comparable to the effects of Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF), a well-known healing compound.
Treated wounds also developed stronger collagen structures, restoring tissue integrity and elasticity more effectively. These findings suggest that SerpinB3 could be harnessed in the future for chronic wounds such as diabetic ulcers, pressure sores, or burns that resist traditional therapies.
⚖️ The Double Life of SerpinB3
SerpinB3 belongs to a family of proteins called serpins—short for serine protease inhibitors—which regulate processes like inflammation, immune response, and tissue repair. When these proteins fall out of balance, they can contribute to disease.
This new discovery highlights SerpinB3’s “split identity”:
-
At normal levels, it helps maintain healthy tissue regeneration and healing.
-
At excessive levels, it can support cancer cell growth and metastasis.
Understanding this delicate balance could lead to innovative therapies that enhance wound healing while suppressing cancer progression.
🌿 Implications for Future Care
The study underscores the importance of biological balance and functional nutrition in maintaining the body’s self-repair mechanisms. As chronic wounds affect nearly 6 million people annually in the U.S., costing an estimated $20 billion each year, new approaches that activate natural healing pathways are urgently needed.
By decoding how proteins like SerpinB3 function, researchers are laying the foundation for next-generation wound treatments—and deepening our understanding of how the human body heals itself.
About CCPH
The Canadian College of Public Health (CCPH) promotes evidence-based health education and scientific collaboration. By sharing research that bridges cellular biology, nutrition, and clinical practice, CCPH supports the advancement of public health knowledge and the responsible translation of science into care.
2025.11.11