Hsp47 is a chaperone protein, member of the superfamily of serine proteinase inhibitors. Also known as SERPINH1, a serine proteinase inhibitor. It is a stress protein that resides in the endoplasmic reticulum, has an active role on the intracellular process of folding, assembly and secretion of pro-collagens.
Recent studies have shown the association of on an increased expression of Hsp47 around fibrotic lesions (1).
The identification of a novel biomarker on cell therapies aimed to reduce the progression of fibrotic diseases, could be used potentially as a universal marker, since Hsp47 binds a single substrate (2). Type I collagen is fundamental during the healing process after a myocardial infarction. It is critical in the position of collagen-produced cells and the assembly of collagen fibrils (3).