Osteoglycin: An ECM Factor Regulating Fibrosis and Tumorigenesis

Abstract

The extracellular matrix (ECM) is made up of noncellular components that have special properties for influencing cell behavior and tissue structure. Small leucine-rich proteoglycans (SLRPs) are nonfibrillar ECM components that serve as structural scaffolds and signaling molecules. osteoglycin (OGN), a class III SLRP, is a ubiquitous ECM component that not only helps to organize the extracellular matrix but also regulates a number of important biological processes. As a glycosylated protein in the ECM, OGN was originally considered to be involved in fiber assembly and was reported to have a connection with fibrosis. In addition to these functions, OGN is found in a variety of cancer tissues and is implicated in cellular processes linked to tumorigenesis, including cell proliferation, invasion, metastasis, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). In this review, we summarize the structure and functions of OGN as well as its biological and clinical importance in the context of fibrotic illness and tumorigenesis. This review aims to improve our understanding of OGN and provide some new strategies for the treatment of fibrosis and cancer.

Characterization of vestibular schwannoma tissues using liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry analysis of specific peptide fragments separated by in‐sample tryptic protein digestion followed by mathematical analysis

“…Mimecan, also known as osteoglycin (OGN), belongs to the class III of small leucine-rich proteoglycans, a group of extracellular matrix (ECM) components. OGN is an important regulatory protein, it is expressed in many organs and it participates in the regulation of bone and collagen formation, and vascular remodelation [28][29][30][31]. The relationship of OGN to tumorigenesis has already been reported by many studies, but the dynamics of expression vary in different tumors.…”

Soluble vascular endothelial glycocalyx proteoglycans as potential therapeutic targets in inflammatory diseases

“…Whether increasing the concentration of biglycan by upregulating its endogenous expression or systemic administration exerts antitumor effects by enhancing antitumoral immune responses still needs to be determined. 159 In addition to the role of mimecan in atherosclerosis and TLR-mediated proinflammatory signaling (described in the preceding section of this review), mimecan regulates tissue fibrosis and tumorigenesis (extensively reviewed recently 169,170 ). Deficiency of mimecan exacerbated myocardial fibrosis and dysfunction by enhancing the proliferation and migration of cardiac myofibroblasts in angiotensin II-induced hypertension in mice.…”

“…172 Expression of mimecan is downregulated in colon, breast, liver and cervical cancers, whereas its expression is increased in ovarian cancer and melanoma. 169 High expression of mimecan in the tumor tissue is associated with prolonged survival of patients with colorectal cancer. Further, it was observed that mimecan suppresses tumor growth by inhibiting vascular endothelial growth factor-driven angiogenesis and epithelial-tomesenchymal transition and increasing T-cell recruitment, 173,174 suggesting that enhancing the bioavailability of mimecan, either by upregulating its endogenous expression or by systemic administration, works as a potential antitumor therapeutic strategy.…”

“…In addition to the role of mimecan in atherosclerosis and TLR‐mediated proinflammatory signaling (described in the preceding section of this review), mimecan regulates tissue fibrosis and tumorigenesis (extensively reviewed recently 169,170 ). Deficiency of mimecan exacerbated myocardial fibrosis and dysfunction by enhancing the proliferation and migration of cardiac myofibroblasts in angiotensin II–induced hypertension in mice.…”

“…Similarly, mimecan prevents age‐related myocardial dysfunction through attenuation of myocardial inflammation and fibrosis 172 . Expression of mimecan is downregulated in colon, breast, liver and cervical cancers, whereas its expression is increased in ovarian cancer and melanoma 169 . High expression of mimecan in the tumor tissue is associated with prolonged survival of patients with colorectal cancer.…”