Cooperative interaction of CTGF and TGF-β in animal models of fibrotic disease.

Background: Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) is widely thought to promote the development of fibrosis in collaboration with transforming growth factor (TGF)-β; however, most of the evidence for its involvement comes from correlative and culture-based studies. In this study, the importance of CTGF in tissue fibrosis was directly examined in three murine models of fibrotic disease: a novel model of multiorgan fibrosis induced by repeated intraperitoneal injections of CTGF and TGF-β2; the unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) renal fibrosis model; and an intratracheal bleomycin instillation model of pulmonary fibrosis.

Results: Intraperitoneal coadministration of CTGF and TGF-β2 elicited a profound fibrotic response that was inhibited by the human anti-CTGF antibody FG-3019, as indicated by the ability of FG-3019 to ameliorate the histologic signs of fibrosis and reduce the otherwise increased hydroxyproline:proline (Hyp:Pro) ratios by 25% in kidney (P < 0.

Connective tissue growth factor and susceptibility to renal and vascular disease risk in type 1 diabetes.

Objective: We explored the relevance and significance of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) as a determinant of renal and vascular complications among type 1 diabetic patients.

Methods And Results: We measured the circulating and urinary levels of CTGF and CTGF N fragment in 1050 subjects with type 1 diabetes from the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial/Epidemiology of Diabetes Interventions and Complications (DCCT/EDIC) Study cohort. We found that hypertensive diabetic subjects have significantly higher levels of plasma log CTGF N fragment relative to normotensive subjects (P = 0.

CTGF, intestinal stellate cells and carcinoid fibrogenesis.

Aim: To investigate the role of small intestinal carcinoid tumor-derived fibrotic mediators, TGFbeta1 and CTGF, in the mediation of fibrosis via activation of an "intestinal" stellate cell.

Methods: GI carcinoid tumors were collected for Q RT-PCR analysis of CTGF and TGFbeta1. Markers of stellate cell desmoplasia were identified in peritoneal fibrosis by immunohistochemistry and stellate cells cultured from fresh resected fibrotic tissue.

N-terminal connective tissue growth factor is a marker of the fibrotic phenotype in scleroderma.

Background: Over-expression of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) is a hallmark of fibrotic disease, including scleroderma. CTGF acts with the pro-fibrotic cytokine TGFbeta to promote sustained fibrotic responses in vivo. Elevated production of CTGF might be responsible for maintenance of the fibrotic phenotype in scleroderma.

Connective tissue growth factor is increased in plasma of type 1 diabetic patients with nephropathy.

Objective: Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) is strongly upregulated in fibrotic disorders and has been hypothesized to play a role in the development and progression of diabetes complications. The aim of the present study was to investigate the possible association of plasma CTGF levels in type 1 diabetic patients with markers relevant to development of diabetes complications.

Research Design And Methods: Plasma CTGF levels (full-length and NH2-terminal fragments) were determined in 62 well-characterized patients with type 1 diabetes and in 21 healthy control subjects.