Vitronectin is a multifunctional glycoprotein abundantly present in blood plasma (200–400 μg/mL) and the extracellular matrix, where it plays key roles in cell adhesion, migration, tissue repair, and regulation of hemostasis. Acting as a scaffold, vitronectin supports cell attachment and spreading by binding to integrins such as αvβ3, and it is crucial for maintaining tissue integrity, wound healing, and skin regeneration. In the circulatory system, vitronectin interacts with plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), stabilizing its active form and thereby regulating fibrinolysis and clot formation. This interaction is central to controlling blood coagulation, thrombosis, and wound healing, and also modulates cell migration and angiogenesis.

Altered vitronectin levels or function are implicated in several diseases. Elevated vitronectin expression is associated with increased extracellular matrix deposition, contributing to conditions such as glaucoma and cardiac fibrosis. In cancer, particularly breast cancer, higher serum vitronectin levels correlate with increased metastasis and poorer survival, making it a promising non-invasive biomarker for early detection and prognosis. Vitronectin is also involved in immune regulation and may become depleted during disseminated intravascular coagulation and liver failure 313.

Clinically and in research, vitronectin is widely used as a substrate in cell culture to promote cell adhesion, proliferation, and survival, especially in stem cell and regenerative medicine applications. Its versatility in supporting cell growth and tissue repair, along with its diagnostic and therapeutic potential in cancer and fibrotic diseases, underscores vitronectin’s significance in both health and disease.