CCN family member 2/connective tissue growth factor (CCN2/CTGF) is regulated by Wnt-β-catenin signaling in nucleus pulposus cells.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The aims of this study were to investigate the gene expression of CCN family members in rat intervertebral disc (IVD) cells and to examine whether Wnt-β-catenin signaling regulates the expression of CCN family 2 (CCN2)/connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) in rat nucleus pulposus (NP) cells.

Methods

The gene expression of CCN family members were assessed in rat IVD cells using real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The expression pattern of CCN2 was also assessed in rat IVD cells using western blot and immunohistochemical analyses. Gain-of-function and loss-of-function experiments were performed to identify the mechanisms by which Wnt-β-catenin signaling influences the activity of the CCN2 promoter. To further determine if the mitogen

SUBMITTER: Hiyama A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6162946 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature