Osteopontin expression in dermatological disorders

Abstract

Osteopontin (OPN) is a multifunctional protein that plays a role in a wide range of physiological functions, including wound healing, inflammatory reactions (especially autoimmune ones), and fibrotic disorders. Multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and other autoimmune disorders are associated with elevated OPN levels. One way that OPN helps psoriasis is by encouraging the development of new blood vessels, which in turn facilitates the entry of inflammatory cells. One of the most frequent T-cell-mediated diseases, allergic contact dermatitis, is controlled by OPN. It appears that OPN plays a crucial role in granuloma formation by recruiting macrophages.