Gzmb, short for Granzyme B, is a serine protease found in the cytoplasmic granules of cytotoxic T lymphocytes and natural killer cells. It plays a crucial role in inducing apoptotic changes of target cells, thus being involved in immune-related processes [4].

In research, it has been associated with multiple disease conditions. In generalized vitiligo patients, reduced Gzmb transcripts led to a decrease in regulatory T cells' suppressive capacity, suggesting its role in the pathogenesis of vitiligo [1]. In skin cutaneous melanoma, high levels of Gzmb expression were associated with a favorable prognosis, indicating its potential as a prognostic biomarker [2]. A Gzmb mutation was discovered in a patient with tuberculosis-infection related hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, although the exact impact of this mutation on the disease mechanism is yet to be fully understood [3]. In non-segmental vitiligo, Gzmb polymorphisms were found to be associated with disease development [4].

In conclusion, Gzmb is an important gene in the immune-related apoptotic process. Studies on Gzmb in various disease models, especially in relation to autoimmune diseases like vitiligo and in cancer prognosis, have provided insights into its role in disease pathogenesis and potential as a biomarker. This contributes to a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms and may guide the development of targeted therapies.

References:

1. Giri, Prashant S, Bharti, Ankit H, Dwivedi, Mitesh. 2022. Decreased GZMB, NRP1, ITPR1, and SERPINB9 Transcripts Lead to Reduced Regulatory T Cells Suppressive Capacity in Generalized Vitiligo Patients. In Journal of immunology research, 2022, 3426717. doi:10.1155/2022/3426717. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36157881/

2. Liang, Zhuoshuai, Pan, Lingfeng, Shi, Jikang, Zhang, Lianbo. 2022. C1QA, C1QB, and GZMB are novel prognostic biomarkers of skin cutaneous melanoma relating tumor microenvironment. In Scientific reports, 12, 20460. doi:10.1038/s41598-022-24353-9. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36443341/

3. Wang, Zhenhao, Zhang, Jin, Hao, Zhaonian, Han, Zhiqiang, Hong, Zhenya. . Tuberculosis infection related hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis diagnosed in patient with GZMB mutation: A case report and literature review. In Medicine, 101, e30283. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000030283. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36107603/

4. Jeong, Ki-Heon, Kim, Su Kang, Seo, Jong-Kil, Shin, Min Kyung, Lee, Mu-Hyoung. 2021. Association of GZMB polymorphisms and susceptibility to non-segmental vitiligo in a Korean population. In Scientific reports, 11, 397. doi:10.1038/s41598-020-79705-0. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33431938/