Hepatic stellate cell-derived microfibrillar-associated protein 2 prevents liver fibrosis by regulating extracellular matrix and inflammation.

ABSTRACT: Microfibrillar-associated protein 2 (MFAP-2) is a crucial component of the extracellular matrix (ECM) microfibrils, yet its role in liver fibrosis remains elusive. Methods: Human tissue arrays and mouse models of fibrosis progression and resolution were used to investigate MFAP-2 expression patterns. Mfap2 deficiency (Mfap2 ^-/-) or overexpression (ovMfap2) mice were subjected to carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) injection or bile duct ligation (BDL) to induce liver fibrosis. Histological, biochemical, bulk, or single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq), proteomics to analyze the matrisome, and in vitro studies were conducted. Results: MFAP-2 was predominantly enriched in activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and upregulated in advance

SUBMITTER: Zhang W 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11980660 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature