title: Identification of MFG-E8 as a novel therapeutic target for diseases.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Milk fat globule-epidermal growth factor-factor 8 (MFG-E8), a peripheral membrane glycoprotein has been widely studied in recent years due to its omnipresent locations, express and multiple functions. Traditionally, MFG-E8 was identified as an outstanding factor for phagocytosis of apoptotic cells and a significant factor in immune systems. Recent studies with some new findings have shed an interesting light on the old peripheral membrane glycoprotein in various diseases.
  
  
  METHODS
  In inflammatory and the systemic lupus erythematosus-type autoimmune disease, age-related diseases and tumors, MFG-E8 plays a multifunctional role in attenuating inflammation and improving prognosis, healing wound and remodeling arterial and enhancing tumorigenicity and cancer metastasis. This review provides a comprehensive view on the latest advances in the field. The summarized knowledge will help to explore the potential therapeutic roles of MFG-E8 and to design MFG-E8-based strategies for the treatment of these diseases.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Though the exact roles of MFG-E8 have not been fully elucidated in diseases. MFG-E8 may serve as a promising therapeutic strategy.
authors: Anhui Medical University, School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics , 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, Anhui, 230032 , PR China +86 551 5167726 ; +86 551 5161171 ; ydq@ahmu.edu.cn.
authors: Bao-Zhu
authors: BZ
authors: Li
authors: Hai-Yan
authors: HY
authors: Zhang
authors: Hai-Feng
authors: HF
authors: Pan
authors: Dong-Qing
authors: DQ
authors: Ye
mesh_terms: D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000188:drug therapy; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000188:drug therapy; D008894:Milk Proteins / Q000187:drug effects*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D000954:Antigens, Surface; C098942:MFGE8 protein, human; D008894:Milk Proteins