A potential role of the proteoglycan biglycan in a murine model of allergic airway inflammation

The extracellular matrix component biglycan (Bgn) is a small leucine-rich proteoglycan (SLRP) is known to act as damage-associated pattern (DAMP)(Schaefer, Liliana, et al. (2008) J Biol Chem, 283, 21305). Following secretion by activated macrophages or proteolytic digestion the soluble biglycan is capable of binding to TLR2, TLR4 and P2×7 thereby triggering downstream signaling events leading to an increased production of pro-inflammatory cytokines like IL-1ß, TNF-alpha as well as the chemotractant CXCL13(Schaefer, Liliana, et al. (2005) J Clin Invest, 115, 2223). Due to its role in inflammation we suggested tha…