Latent Transforming Growth Factor Beta-Binding Protein 1 (LTBP1): Roles as a Multifunctional Extracellular Matrix Regulator in Human Disease. From Molecular Mechanisms to Clinical Translation Prospects

Latent transforming growth factor-beta-binding protein 1 (LTBP1) is a crucial regulator of the extracellular matrix, acting as a molecular hub that integrates biochemical signals in various human diseases. This review highlights LTBP1's role in modulating TGF-β activity, ECM assembly, and cell signaling, with its function varying by disease context. In cancer, LTBP1 can either promote or inhibit growth, while in fibrosis, it is a key pathological mediator. It also contributes to structural defects in cardiovascular, neurological, and developmental disorders. LTBP1's diverse roles make it a promising biomarker and target for new intervention strategies, offering a framework for understanding complex diseases and advancing precision medicine.