Description
Major alterations in the composition of the cartilage extracellular matrix occur in joint disease, such as osteoarthrosis. This gene encodes the cartilage intermediate layer protein (CILP), which increases in early osteoarthrosis cartilage. The encoded protein was thought to encode a protein precursor for 2 different proteins, namely CILP and a homolog of NTPPHase, however later studies identified no nucleotide pyrophosphatase phosphodiesterase (NPP) activity. One isoform of the protein, CILP-1, functions as an IGF-1 antagonist