interaction with the FGF receptor. Because the tight correlation between syndecan-4 and growth factors, the efficiency of angiogenic therapies have been thought to relate to syndecan-4. Growth factor signaling may be disrupted by changes in syndecan-4 expression. The cellular uptake, trafficking, and nuclear localization of FGF-2 could be increased by co-delivery of syndecan-4 proteoliposomes. These alterations should be considered in FGF-2-based therapies. Syndecan-4 is also associated with the healing process. Lack of Sdc4 gene causes delayed wound healing in mice. This delay may be due to compromised fibroblast motility. Clinical significance Endometriosis Syndecan-4 expression is upregulated in the endometrium of women suffering from endometriosis, and its downregulation in endometriotic cells results in a decrease of invasive growth, and reduced expression of the small GTPase Rac1, Activating transcription factor 2 (ATF2), and MMP3. Osteoarthritis Syndecan-4 is upregulated in osteoarthritis and inhibition of syndecan-4 reduces cartilage destruction in mouse models of OA. See Sindecán-4 at the Spanish Wikipedia References Further reading External links