Cellular communication network factor 3 in cartilage development and maintenance

• Published in: Journal of cell communication and signaling Vol. 15; no. 4; pp. 533 - 543
• Main Authors: Kubota, Satoshi, Kawaki, Harumi, Perbal, Bernard, Kawata, Kazumi, Hattori, Takako, Nishida, Takashi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer Netherlands 01.12.2021; John Wiley & Sons, Inc
• Subjects: Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biomedicine; Cartilage; CCN family; CCN3; Cell Biology; Cell interactions; Chondrocytes; Communications networks; Endochondral bone; Homeostasis; Life Sciences; Ossification; Osteoarthritis; Review; Structure-function relationships; Cartilage; CCN3; CCN family; Osteoarthritis; Chondrocytes
• ISSN: 1873-9601; 1873-961X
• DOI: 10.1007/s12079-021-00629-z

Cellular communication network factor (CCN) 3 is one of the classical members of the CCN family, which are characterized by common molecular structures and multiple functionalities. Although this protein was discovered as a gene product overexpressed in a truncated form in nephroblastoma, recent studies have revealed its physiological roles in the development and homeostasis of mammalian species, in addition to its pathological association with a number of diseases. Cartilage is a tissue that creates most of the bony parts and cartilaginous tissues that constitute the human skeleton, in which CCN3 is also differentially produced to exert its molecular missions therein. In this review article, after the summary of the molecular structure and function of CCN3, recent findings on the regulation of ccn3 expression and the roles of CCN3 in endochondral ossification, cartilage development, maintenance and disorders are introduced with an emphasis on the metabolic regulation and function of this matricellular multifunctional molecule.