SFRP4 and myocardial infarction: Notably, Matsushima et al. reported that the expression of SFRP4 in the heart was increased in a rat infarction model, while treatment with recombinant SFRP4 reduced fibrosis scar size and improved impaired heart function [37], suggesting a protective role of SFRP4 in myocardial infarction, which is a severe form of CAD.