SPP1 and Hepatic fibrosis: OPN has been implicated as an important mediator, by which the inflammatory response ultimately leads to scarring and fibrosis in various organs,6-10, 14 with the potential that its presence in the circulation can be used as a biomarker of disease progression.11-13 Previously, we demonstrated a novel role for the transcription factor, SOX9, in models of liver fibrosis.