Microfibrillar-associated protein 4 mRNA (MFAP4 mRNA)

Microfibrillar-associated protein 4 (MFAP4) is a calcium-dependent glycoprotein localized within the extracellular matrix, where it facilitates the assembly and stabilization of elastic fibers by binding to elastin, collagen, and fibrillin (UniProt P55083). The MFAP4 mRNA is considered a therapeutic target because the overexpression of its protein product is a hallmark of various fibrotic and inflammatory diseases, including liver cirrhosis, pulmonary fibrosis, and asthma (PMID: 26861174, PMID: 30104244). Targeting the mRNA transcript using antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) or small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) allows for the down-regulation of MFAP4 protein production, thereby mitigating pathological tissue remodeling and fibrosis. In clinical contexts, MFAP4 is widely recognized as a serum biomarker for assessing the severity of liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C or non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (PMID: 25113161). While primarily in the preclinical stage, therapeutic strategies focusing on MFAP4 mRNA aim to provide a more targeted approach to treating chronic remodeling diseases compared to systemic anti-fibrotic agents.

Other names

Microfibrillar-associated glycoprotein 4 mRNAMAGP-3 mRNAMFAP4 transcript

Antisense-mediated degradation of mRNA transcripts to reduce protein expression