Role and new insights of microfibrillar-associated protein 4 in fibrotic diseases.

Fibrosis is one of the most worrisome complications of chronic inflammatory diseases, leading to tissue damage, organ failure, and ultimately, death. The most notable pathological characteristic of fibrosis is the excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) components such as collagen and fibronectin adjacent to foci of inflammation or damage. The human microfibrillar-associated protein 4 (MFAP4), an important member of the superfamily of fibrinogen-related proteins, is considered to have an extremely important role in ECM transformation of fibrogenesis.

Pathological investigations and correlation research of microfibrillar-associated protein 4 and tropoelastin in oral submucous fibrosis.

Background: Oral submucous fibrosis (OSF), distinguished by abnormal collagen deposition, is a potentially malignant disorder with 4.2% (95% CI 2.7-5.