Identification of MFG-E8 as a novel therapeutic target for diseases

Abstract

Introduction: Milk fat globule-epidermal growth factor-factor 8 (MFG-E8), a peripheral membrane glycoprotein has been widely studied in recent years due to its omnipresent locations, express and multiple functions. Traditionally, MFG-E8 was identified as an outstanding factor for phagocytosis of apoptotic cells and a significant factor in immune systems. Recent studies with some new findings have shed an interesting light on the old peripheral membrane glycoprotein in various diseases.

Areas covered: In inflammatory and the systemic lupus erythematosus-type autoimmune disease, age-related diseases and tumors, MFG-E8 plays a multifunctional role in attenuating inflammation and improving prognosis, healing wound and remodeling arterial and enhancing tumorigenicity and cancer metastasis. This review provides a comprehensive view on the latest advances in the field. The summarized knowledge will help to explore the potential therapeutic roles of MFG-E8 and to design MFG-E8-based strategies for the treatment of these diseases.

Expert opinion: Though the exact roles of MFG-E8 have not been fully elucidated in diseases. MFG-E8 may serve as a promising therapeutic strategy.

Keywords::

• age-related diseases
• apoptosis
• inflammatory diseases
• milk fat globule-EGF factor 8
• systemic lupus erythematosus
• tumors

Acknowledgment

B-Z Li and H-Y Zhang have equally contributed to this work and should be considered as co-first authors.

Notes

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