Blocking CCN2 Reduces Progression of Sensorimotor Declines and Fibrosis in a Rat Model of Chronic Repetitive Overuse.

ABSTRACT: Fibrosis may be a key factor in sensorimotor dysfunction in patients with chronic overuse-induced musculoskeletal disorders. Using a clinically relevant rodent model, in which performance of a high demand handle-pulling task induces tissue fibrosis and sensorimotor declines, we pharmacologically blocked cellular communication network factor 2 (CCN2; connective tissue growth factor) with the goal of reducing the progression of these changes. Young adult, female Sprague-Dawley rats were shaped to learn to pull at high force levels (10 min/day, 5 weeks), before performing a high repetition high force (HRHF) task for 3 weeks (2 h/day, 3 days/week). HRHF rats were untreated, or treated in task weeks 2 and 3 with a monoclonal antibody that blocks CCN2 (FG-3019), or a control immunoglobulin G (Ig

SUBMITTER: Barbe MF 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6688947 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature