SERPINB3 (SCCA1) inhibits cathepsin L and lysoptosis, protecting cervical cancer cells from chemoradiation

Abstract

Wang et al. demonstrate the cytoprotective role of SERPINB3 against radiation-induced necrosis, showing that cells lacking SERPINB3 protein both in culture and in mice are more sensitive to radiation and cisplatin-induced cell death. The authors also report that the cell death induced by radiation in SERPINB3-lacking cells is lysoptosis and implicate the lysosomal protease cathepsin L in this process.