Proteomic analysis of CTGF-activated lung fibroblasts: identification of IQGAP1 as a key player in lung fibroblast migration.

ABSTRACT: Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF, CCN2) is overexpressed in lung fibroblasts isolated from patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD) and systemic sclerosis (SSc, scleroderma) and is considered to be a molecular marker of fibrosis. To understand the significance of elevated CTGF, we investigated the changes in lung fibroblast proteome in response to CTGF overexpression. Using 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis followed by in-gel proteolytic digestion and mass spectrometric analysis, we identified 13 proteins affected by CTGF. Several of the CTGF-induced proteins, such as pro-alpha (I) collagen and cytoskeletal proteins vinculin, moesin, and ezrin, are known to be elevated in pulmonary fibrosis, whereas 9 of 13 proteins have not been studied in pulmonary fibrosis and are, therefore,

SUBMITTER: Bogatkevich GS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2575950 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature