SFRP5 is highly expressed in the retinal pigment epithelium and moderately expressed in the pancreas . It has been implicated in several physiological and pathological processes, including the regulation of photoreceptor cell polarity in the retina . Additionally, SFRP5 is known to have anti-inflammatory properties and plays a role in metabolic regulation .
Recent studies have highlighted the protective role of SFRP5 in cardiovascular health. For instance, SFRP5 has been shown to protect against cardiac rupture and improve cardiac function by inhibiting mitochondrial dysfunction . Overexpression of SFRP5 in mouse models of myocardial infarction (MI) has been associated with reduced infarct size, decreased cardiomyocyte apoptosis, and improved left ventricular function . These findings suggest that SFRP5 may have therapeutic potential in the treatment of ischemic heart disease and heart failure .
SFRP5 is also an important player in the context of obesity and metabolic disorders. It is an anti-inflammatory adipokine that has been implicated in the pathophysiology of obesity and its metabolic complications . Studies have shown that SFRP5 levels are inversely associated with obesity and related metabolic parameters . In children and adolescents, higher levels of SFRP5 have been associated with better metabolic health outcomes .