Gene regulation of connective tissue growth factor: new targets for antifibrotic therapy?

• Published in: Matrix biology Vol. 21; no. 6; pp. 473 - 482
• Main Authors: Blom, Ingrid E, Goldschmeding, Roel, Leask, Andrew
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 01.10.2002
• Subjects: Animals; Connective Tissue Growth Factor; Fibrosis; Fibrosis - prevention & control; Gene Expression Regulation; Gene regulation; Humans; Immediate-Early Proteins - genetics; Immediate-Early Proteins - physiology; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins - genetics; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins - physiology; Signal Transduction - physiology; TGFβ; TGFβ; Connective tissue growth factor; Gene regulation; Fibrosis
• ISSN: 0945-053X; 1569-1802
• DOI: 10.1016/S0945-053X(02)00055-0

Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) has recently received much attention as a possible key determinant of progressive fibrosis and excessive scarring and also of wound repair, neoangiogenesis, bone formation and embryonic development. CTGF is also up regulated in numerous fibrotic diseases, including atherosclerosis and lung-, skin-, pancreas-, liver- and kidney-fibrosis. TGFβ induces CTGF through different signaling pathways and a specific TGFβ responsive element in the CTGF promoter. CTGF is thought to act both as a profibrotic marker and as a downstream effector of TGFβ by mediating at least some of its profibrotic activities. CTGF is an interesting target for future antifibrotic therapies as it is conceivable that inhibition of CTGF might block the profibrotic effects of TGFβ, without affecting TGFβ's anti-proliferative and immunosuppressive effects. In addition to TGFβ, a number of other regulators of CTGF expression have been identified, including vascular endothelial growth factor, tumor necrosis factor α, shear stress, cell stretch and static pressure, H 2O 2, O 2 and NO. In addition to trans-regulatory mechanisms, specific transcription factor binding sites in the CTGF promoter, as well as 3′untranslated region (UTR) regulatory sequences have been identified that are important for basal and induced CTGF expression. Outlining the mechanisms that underlie CTGF gene regulation in normal and fibrotic cells, might help design of future intervention strategies aiming at targeted specific interference with CTGF expression at sites of progressive fibrosis. In addition, alternative therapies targeting CTGF effects are proposed which might lead to a favorable outcome of wound repair and fibrosis.