What conditions are associated with α-SMA expression?

Increased expression of α-SMA is often associated with pathological conditions such as fibrosis, atherosclerosis, and cancer. In fibrosis, myofibroblasts expressing α-SMA accumulate at the site of injury and produce extracellular matrix components, leading to tissue scarring and organ dysfunction. In atherosclerosis, α-SMA can be found in the smooth muscle cells of the arterial wall, contributing to plaque formation. Additionally, in the context of cancer, α-SMA is associated with the tumor microenvironment, particularly in cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) that promote tumor progression and metastasis.