Zibing Qian,1 Ziyi Li,1 Xuebin Peng,2 Yongwu Mao,2 Xiaorong Mao,1,2 Junfeng Li1,3 

1The First Clinical Medical College, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, 730000, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Infectious Disease, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, 730000, People’s Republic of China; 3Institute of Infectious Diseases, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, 730000, People’s Republic of China

Correspondence: Xiaorong Mao, Department of Infectious Disease, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, No. 1 Donggangxi Road, Chengguan District, Lanzhou City, Gansu Province, People’s Republic of China, Email maoxr@lzu.edu.cn Junfeng Li, Institute of Infectious Diseases, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, No. 1 Donggangxi Road, Chengguan District, Lanzhou City, Gansu Province, People’s Republic of China, Email junfenglee@126.com

Abstract: The annexin superfamily proteins, a family of calcium-dependent phospholipid-binding proteins, are involved in a variety of Ca²+-regulated membrane events. Annexin A, expressed in vertebrates, has been implicated in a variety of regulated cell death (RCD) pathways, including apoptosis, autophagy, pyroptosis, ferroptosis, and neutrophil extracellular trap-induced cell death (NETosis). Given that inflammation is a key driver of cell death, the roles of Annexin A in inflammation have been extensively studied. In this review, we discuss the regulatory roles of Annexin A in RCD and inflammation, the development of related targeted therapies in translational medicine, and the application of animal models to study these processes. We also analyze current challenges and discuss future directions for improved diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.

Keywords: Annexin A, regulated cell death, inflammation, translational medicine