Milk fat globule-EGF factor 8 protein (Mfge8), also known as lactadherin, is a protein which in humans is encoded by the MFGE8gene.[5][6]
Species distribution
Mfge8 is secreted protein found in vertebrates, including mammals as well as birds.
Function
MFGE8 may function as a cell adhesion protein to connect smooth muscle to elastic fiber in arteries.[7] An amyloid fragment of MFGE8 known as medin accumulates in the aorta with aging.[8] MFGE8 in the vasculature of adults can induce recovery from ischemia by facilitating angiogenesis.[9] It has been suggested that antagonizing MFGE8-induced angiogenesis could be a way of fighting cancer.[10]
^Collins C, Nehlin JO, Stubbs JD, Kowbel D, Kuo WL, Parry G (January 1997). "Mapping of a newly discovered human gene homologous to the apoptosis associated-murine mammary protein, MFG-E8, to chromosome 15q25". Genomics. 39 (1): 117–8. doi:10.1006/geno.1996.4425. PMID9027496.
^Larsson A, Peng S, Persson H, Rosenbloom J, Abrams WR, Wassberg E, Thelin S, Sletten K, Gerwins P, Westermark P (June 2006). "Lactadherin binds to elastin--a starting point for medin amyloid formation?". Amyloid. 13 (2): 78–85. doi:10.1080/13506120600722530. PMID16911961.
^Peng S, Glennert J, Westermark P (June 2005). "Medin-amyloid: a recently characterized age-associated arterial amyloid form affects mainly arteries in the upper part of the body". Amyloid. 12 (2): 96–102. doi:10.1080/13506120500107006. PMID16011985.
^Silvestre JS, Théry C, Hamard G, Boddaert J, Aguilar B, Delcayre A, Houbron C, Tamarat R, Blanc-Brude O, Heeneman S, Clergue M, Duriez M, Merval R, Lévy B, Tedgui A, Amigorena S, Mallat Z (May 2005). "Lactadherin promotes VEGF-dependent neovascularization". Nat. Med. 11 (5): 499–506. doi:10.1038/nm1233. PMID15834428.