Selective expression of connective tissue growth factor in fibroblasts in vivo promotes systemic tissue fibrosis.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) is a cysteine-rich secreted matricellular protein involved in wound healing and tissue repair. Enhanced and prolonged expression of CTGF has been associated with tissue fibrosis in humans. However, questions remain as to whether CTGF expression alone is sufficient to drive fibrosis. This study was undertaken to investigate whether CTGF alone is sufficient to cause fibrosis in intact animals and whether its effects are mediated through activation of transforming growth factor beta (TGFbeta) signaling or through distinct signal transduction pathways.

Methods

We generated mice overexpressing CTGF in fibroblasts under the control of the fibroblast-specific collagen alpha2(I) promoter enhancer. Tissues such as skin, lung, and kidne

SUBMITTER: Sonnylal S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3866029 | biostudies-literature | 2010 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature