Serum angiogenin levels are decreased in patients with psoriasis

The role of human ribonuclease A family in health and diseases: A systematic review

The ribonuclease A (RNase A) family is one of the best-characterized vertebrate-specific proteins. In humans, eight catalytically active RNases (numbered 1–8) have been identified and have unique tissue distributions. Apart from the digestion of dietary RNA, a broad range of biological actions, including the regulation of intra- or extra-cellular RNA metabolism as well as antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal activities, neurotoxicity, promotion of cell proliferation, anti-apoptosis, and immunomodulatory abilities, have been recently reported for the members of this family. Based on multiple biological roles, RNases are found to participate in the pathogenic processes of many diseases, such as infection, immune dysfunction, neurodegeneration, cancer, and cardiovascular disorders. This review summarizes the available data on the human RNase A family and illustrates the significant roles of the eight canonical RNases in health and disease, for stimulating further basic research and development of ideas on the potential solutions for disease diagnosis and treatment.

The Potential of Angiogenin as a Serum Biomarker for Diseases: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background

Angiogenin (ANG) is a multifunctional angiogenic protein that participates in both normal development and diseases. Abnormal serum ANG levels are commonly reported in various diseases. However, whether ANG can serve as a diagnostic or prognostic marker for different diseases remains a matter of debate.

Methods

Here, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature utilizing PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus search engines to identify all publications comparing plasma or serum ANG levels between patients with different diseases and healthy controls, as were studies evaluating circulating ANG levels in healthy populations, pregnant women, or other demographic populations.

Results

This study demonstrated that the serum ANG concentration in healthy populations was 336.14 ± 142.83 ng/ml and remained relatively stable in different populations and regions. We noted no significant differences in serum ANG levels between patients and healthy controls, except in cases in which patients suffered from cancer or cardiovascular diseases. The serum ANG concentrations were significantly higher in patients who developed colorectal cancer, acute myeloid leukemia, multiple myeloma, myelodysplastic syndromes, and heart failure than those in healthy controls.

Conclusion

ANG has the potential of being a serum biomarker for cancers and cardiovascular diseases.