Truncated Milk Fat Globule-EGF-like Factor 8 Ameliorates Liver Fibrosis via Inhibition of Integrin-TGF beta Receptor Interaction

Milk fat globule-EGF factor 8 (MFG-E8) protein is known as an immunomodulator in various diseases, and we previously demonstrated the anti-fibrotic role of MFG-E8 in liver disease. Here, we present a truncated form of MFG-E8 that provides an advanced therapeutic benefit in treating liver fibrosis. The enhanced therapeutic potential of the modified MFG-E8 was demonstrated in various liver fibrosis animal models, and the efficacy was further confirmed in human hepatic stellate cells and a liver spheroid model. In the subsequent analysis, we found that the modified MFG-E8 more efficiently suppressed transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) signaling than the original form of MFG-E8, and it deactivated the proliferation of hepatic stellate cells in the liver disease environment through interfering with the interactions between integrins (alpha v beta 3 & alpha v beta 5) and TGF-beta RI. Furthermore, the protein preferentially delivered in the liver after administration, and the safety profiles of the protein were demonstrated in male and female rat models. Therefore, in conclusion, this modified MFG-E8 provides a promising new therapeutic strategy for treating fibrotic diseases.