Plays a role in differentiation and/or proliferation of mesenchymal stem cells (PubMed:21792907, PubMed:26175344). Proposed to be involved in epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) (PubMed:21792907). However, another study suggests that it is not required for EMT or stem cell self-renewal and acts during later stages of differentiation (PubMed:26175344). Widely expressed. Shows highest expression in ribs, and slightly lower levels of expression in heart, kidney, muscle, thymus, calvariae and lung. Also detected at low levels in spleen and liver. Expressed at low levels in undifferentiated mesenchymal stem cells and then shows increasing expression levels as differentiation proceeds. May be up-regulated in response to cell-cell contact.