matrikine M7

Matrikine M7 is a bioactive, matrix-derived peptide (matrikine) identified in the intestinal tissue of patients with Crohn's disease (CD) who exhibit fibrostenosis. Discovered through research led by University College London and the University of Pavia, M7 is part of a group of peptides (M1-M19) that appear specifically in diseased tissue. In experimental models using primary human intestinal myofibroblasts (iMFBs), M7 has been shown to induce cell proliferation and activation, characterized by the upregulation of fibrogenic markers such as ACTA2 (alpha-smooth muscle actin) and COL1A1 (collagen type I alpha 1 chain). RNA sequencing data suggests that M7 influences pathways related to smooth muscle contraction, fibroblast growth factor signaling, and extracellular matrix organization, positioning it as a potential biomarker and therapeutic target for managing intestinal fibrosis in Crohn's disease.