Osteonectin gene expression in fibrotic liver

Osteonectin is an extracellular matrix (ECM) protein which is secreted by various cell types, and regulates tissue remodeling and cell proliferation. In the present study, we have examined the expression of osteonectin in fibrotic liver. Osteonectin transcripts were undetectable in normal liver, however, the abundant expression of the osteonectin gene was detected in fibrotic liver. The transcripts of osteonetin were only detected in hepatic Lipocytes and the number of lipocytes was increased in fibrotic liver. These results suggested that in fibrotic liver, enhanced osteonectin expression may play an important role in liver fibrosis.