Targeting the Cellular Prion Protein as a Biomarker for Stem Cells, Cancer, and Regeneration

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The cellular prion protein (PrPC) displays a functional repertoire that extends well beyond its classical link to transmissible spongiform encephalopathies. Abundant in the nervous system and localized within lipid raft microdomains, PrPC has emerged as a multifunctional signaling platform that regulates cell differentiation, neurogenesis, neuroprotection, and synaptic plasticity. Recent evidence highlights its dynamic expression in stem cell populations, where it participates in multimolecular complexes that control lineage commitment, particularly during neuronal differentiation. PrPC expression tightly correlates with stem cell status, making it a promising biomarker of stemness and developmental progression. Through interactions with growth factors, extracellular matrix components, and synaptic proteins, PrPC functions as a molecular integrator of signals essential for tissue repair and regeneration. Preclinical studies demonstrate that recombinant PrPC can stimulate neurogenesis and tissue repair, while monoclonal antibodies modulate its physiological and pathological functions. Likewise, cell-based therapies leveraging PrPC-enriched stem cells or PrPC-dependent signaling profiles have shown promise in models of neurodegeneration and ischemia. Conversely, dysregulated PrPC expression has also been observed in solid tumors, where it contributes to cancer cell survival, proliferation, metastasis, and therapy resistance, reinforcing its role as a regulator of cell fate and an oncological target. This review integrates stem cell biology, tissue regeneration, and oncology into a unified framework, offering a novel perspective in which PrPC emerges as a shared molecular hub governing both physiological repair and pathological tumor behavior, opening previously unrecognized conceptual and translational opportunities.