Fibrosis is defined by excessive formation and accumulation of extracellular matrix proteins, produced by myofibroblasts, that supersedes normal wound healing responses to injury and results in progressive architectural remodelling. Fibrosis is often detected in advanced disease stages when an organ is already severely damaged and can no longer function properly. Therefore, there is an urgent need for reliable and easily detectable markers to identify and monitor fibrosis onset and progression as early as possible; this will greatly facilitate the development of novel therapeutic strategies. Osteoprotegerin (OPG), a well-known regulator of bone extracellular matrix and most studied for its role in regulating bone mass, is expressed in various organs and functions as a decoy for receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL) and tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL). Recently, OPG has been linked to fibrosis and fibrogenesis, and has been included in a panel of markers to diagnose liver fibrosis. Multiple studies now suggest that OPG may be a general biomarker suitable for detection of fibrosis and/or monitoring the impact of fibrosis treatment. This review summarizes our current understanding of the role of OPG in fibrosis and will discuss its potential as a biomarker and/or novel therapeutic target for fibrosis.

纤维化是由肌成纤维细胞产生的细胞外基质蛋白的过度形成和积累定义的，它取代了对损伤的正常伤口愈合反应并导致进行性结构重塑。当器官已经严重受损并且不能再正常运作时，通常会在疾病晚期检测到纤维化。因此，迫切需要可靠且易于检测的标志物，以尽早识别和监测纤维化的发作和进展；这将极大地促进新治疗策略的发展。骨保护素 (OPG) 是一种众所周知的骨细胞外基质调节剂，研究最多的是其在调节骨量中的作用，在各种器官中表达，并作为核因子 kappa-B 配体 (RANKL) 和肿瘤坏死因子相关凋亡诱导配体 (TRAIL) 受体激活剂的诱饵发挥作用。最近，OPG 与纤维化和纤维化有关，并已被纳入一组诊断肝纤维化的标志物。现在多项研究表明，OPG 可能是一种适用于检测纤维化和/或监测纤维化治疗影响的通用生物标志物。本综述总结了我们目前对 OPG 在纤维化中作用的理解，并将讨论其作为生物标志物和/或新的纤维化治疗靶点的潜力。现在多项研究表明，OPG 可能是一种适用于检测纤维化和/或监测纤维化治疗影响的通用生物标志物。本综述总结了我们目前对 OPG 在纤维化中作用的理解，并将讨论其作为生物标志物和/或新的纤维化治疗靶点的潜力。现在多项研究表明，OPG 可能是一种适用于检测纤维化和/或监测纤维化治疗影响的通用生物标志物。本综述总结了我们目前对 OPG 在纤维化中作用的理解，并将讨论其作为生物标志物和/或新的纤维化治疗靶点的潜力。