Figure 5. Schematic illustration of the role of HSP47 in enhancing ESC-SMC differentiation and chemotaxis.

The over-expression of HSP47 results in an increase of both ESC chemotaxis and SMC differentiation that can lead to tissue repair and vascular regeneration (A). The over-expression of the ER-resident HSP47 (green block arrow) induces SMC differentiation by preferentially binding to procollagen molecules, assists in their functional maturation and subsequent release into the extracellular space of ESC. Increased secretion of collagen can in turn induce SMC differentiation by the activation of SMC specific genes via integrin stimulated signal pathways. The over-expression of HSP47 (green block arrow) also indirectly induces a panel of chemokine receptors, potentially through the co-operation with integrin signaling pathways (B).