protein involved in smooth muscle contraction and wound healing
Alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) is a protein that plays a crucial role in the contraction of smooth muscle cells, which are found in various tissues like blood vessels and the digestive tract. It is also a marker used by scientists to identify myofibroblasts, cells involved in wound healing and tissue repair. Elevated levels of α-SMA can indicate tissue remodeling or fibrosis, which is the thickening and scarring of connective tissue.