Current Advances in the Physiological Roles and Disease-Associated Mechanisms of ADAMTS16.

As an important member of the ADAMTS (a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs) family, ADAMTS16 participates in various physiological and pathological processes through the regulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) components. This review systematically delineates the expression profiles of ADAMTS16 in different tissues and cell types, as well as its diverse roles in reproductive development, cardiovascular diseases, ocular diseases, skeletal disorders, malignancies, and other pathological conditions, revealing significant differences in its expression patterns and mechanisms of action across various tissues. Cumulatively, current evidence suggests that ADAMTS16 may engage in direct or indirect interactions with ECM constituents to regulate cell proliferation, differentiation, and migration, and may also influence a range of cellular activities via synergistic cooperation with other cytokines.