[Research progress on the relationship between osteopontin and hepatic echinococcosis].

Osteopontin is a negatively charged, hydrophilic secreted phosphorylated glycoprotein. It is synthesized and secreted by a variety of cells, and is found in various tissues and cells. The protein is similar in structure to matrix proteins, has the characteristics of cytokines in function and involved in a series of pathological processes. Recent studies confirmed that osteopontin is highly expressed in liver hydatid cyst and may play an important role in cyst formation.