Background of the antigen
The small leucine-rich proteoglycan (SLRP) family of proteins contains various proteins such as Decorin, Biglycan, Fibromodulin, Keratocan, Lumican, Osteoadherin and Osteoglycin. These proteins all have similar functions as they all mediate extracellular matrix organization and act as binding partners of TGF beta. Osteoglycin, which also may be designated osteoinductive factor (OIF), is a secreted protein detected in bone tissues. Osteoglycin induces the formation of bone in conjunction with either TGF-beta-1 or TGF-beta-2. The precursor form of the OGN gene product, designated Mimecan, is subject to in situ proteolytic cleavage to yield the mature Osteoglycin.
