Regulation of CCN2/connective tissue growth factor expression in the nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral disc: role of Smad and activator protein 1 signaling.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To investigate transforming growth factor beta (TGFbeta) regulation of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) expression in cells of the nucleus pulposus of rats, mice, and humans.

Methods

Real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analyses were used to measure CTGF expression in the nucleus pulposus. Transfections were used to measure the effects of Smads 2, 3, and 7 and activator protein 1 (AP-1) on TGFbeta-mediated CTGF promoter activity.

Results

CTGF expression was lower in neonatal rat discs than in skeletally mature rat discs. An increase in CTGF expression and promoter activity was observed in rat nucleus pulposus cells after TGFbeta treatment. Deletion analysis indicated that promoter constructs lacking Smad and AP-1 m

SUBMITTER: Tran CM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3060556 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature