Col6a1, encoding the alpha 1 chain of collagen VI, is crucial for maintaining tissue structure and function. Collagen VI has multiple functions, including mechanical support, cytoprotection by inhibiting apoptosis and oxidative damage, and regulation of cell differentiation and autophagic mechanisms, thereby influencing tumor growth and progression [2]. It is involved in pathways related to extracellular matrix organization and focal adhesion [4]. Genetic models, such as knockout (KO) or conditional knockout (CKO) mouse models, are valuable for studying Col6a1.

Mutations in Col6a1 are responsible for a spectrum of congenital muscular disorders, including Ullrich congenital muscular dystrophy, Bethlem myopathy, and myosclerosis myopathy, highlighting its importance in muscle function [2]. In osteosarcoma, upregulated Col6a1, activated by H3K27 acetylation, promotes cell migration and invasion by suppressing the STAT1 pathway and can be packaged into exosomes to activate cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), which in turn promote metastasis [1]. In pancreatic cancer, COL6A1 promotes metastasis and predicts poor prognosis, with knockdown of COL6A1 in metastatic cell lines reducing migration and invasion [5]. In bladder cancer, COL6A1 is downregulated and inhibits malignant development by regulating FBN1 [3]. In glioblastoma, COL6A1 is upregulated, and tumor electric field therapy (TEFT) may exert antitumor effects by downregulating COL6A1 and inhibiting the focal adhesion pathway [4]. In osteoarthritis, COL6A1 promotes osteoclast differentiation and subchondral bone remodeling through the EPAC/RAP1 axis, and knockdown of COL6A1 slows OA progression in mouse models [6].

In summary, Col6a1 is essential for maintaining tissue integrity and is involved in various biological processes and disease conditions. Model-based research, especially KO/CKO mouse models, has significantly contributed to understanding its role in congenital muscular disorders, cancer metastasis, and osteoarthritis, providing insights into potential therapeutic targets for these diseases.

References:

1. Zhang, Ying, Liu, Zhaoyong, Yang, Xia, Lin, Suxia, Yun, Jing-Ping. 2021. H3K27 acetylation activated-COL6A1 promotes osteosarcoma lung metastasis by repressing STAT1 and activating pulmonary cancer-associated fibroblasts. In Theranostics, 11, 1473-1492. doi:10.7150/thno.51245. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33391546/

2. Di Martino, Alberto, Cescon, Matilde, D'Agostino, Claudio, Merlini, Luciano, Faldini, Cesare. 2023. Collagen VI in the Musculoskeletal System. In International journal of molecular sciences, 24, . doi:10.3390/ijms24065095. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36982167/

3. Yang, Tineng, Peng, Xiaoyang, Huang, Xi, Cao, Peng, Chen, Hualei. 2024. COL6A1 Inhibits the Malignant Development of Bladder Cancer by Regulating FBN1. In Cell biochemistry and biophysics, , . doi:10.1007/s12013-024-01573-6. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39365515/

4. Chen, Junyi, Liu, Yuyang, Lan, Jinxin, Liu, Jialin, Chen, Ling. . Identification and validation of COL6A1 as a novel target for tumor electric field therapy in glioblastoma. In CNS neuroscience & therapeutics, 30, e14802. doi:10.1111/cns.14802. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38887185/

5. Owusu-Ansah, Kwabena Gyabaah, Song, Guangyuan, Chen, Ronggao, Jiang, Donghai, Zheng, Shusen. 2019. COL6A1 promotes metastasis and predicts poor prognosis in patients with pancreatic cancer. In International journal of oncology, 55, 391-404. doi:10.3892/ijo.2019.4825. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31268154/

6. Xu, Qu, Feng, Gangning, Tang, Zhiqun, Ma, Long, Jin, Qunhua. . Mechanistic study of COL6A1-mediated subchondral bone remodeling in osteoarthritis via the EPAC/RAP1 axis. In FASEB journal : official publication of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology, 39, e70473. doi:10.1096/fj.202402818RR. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40143596/