Molecules in focusFibromodulin: A regulatory molecule maintaining cellular architecture for normal cellular function

- FMOD regulates collagen fibril assembly, and thereby avoids collagenolysis.
- FMOD promotes muscle development by controlling MRFs and MSTN.
- FMOD mediates vasculature development and regulates vascular regeneration.
- FMOD act as growth factor by reprogramming somatic cells to the pluripotent state.

Fibromodulin (FMOD) is a small leucine-rich proteoglycan that plays roles in a series of biological and pathophysiological processes. The interaction between FMOD and lysyl oxidase (LOX; collagen cross-linking enzyme) helps regulate extracellular matrix composition, and thereby, provides a permissive environment for regulating cellular turnover. FMOD has been mostly studied in the context of matrix component assembly, but during recent years its association with muscle development, cell reprogramming, and the angiogenic program have demonstrated its activities well beyond extracellular matrix maintenance. In fact, the involvement of FMOD in these cellular processes places it the centrum of cellular behaviour and ultimately of tissue properties. Thus, a clear view of the impact FMOD has on tissue integrity would aid its exploitation for tissue modelling and in the treatment of different disorders.