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CCN2: a bona fide target for anti-fibrotic drug intervention

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Abstract

CCN2 (formerly known as connective tissue growth factor) was identified by several different laboratories approximately 20 years ago. Almost since its identification as a factor induced in normal fibroblasts by transforming growth factor β and overexpressed in fibrotic disease, CCN2 has been hypothesized to be not only a marker but also a central mediator of fibrosis in vivo. Finally, in vivo data are emerging to validate this key hypothesis. For example, a neutralizing anti-CCN2 antibody was found to attenuate fibrogenesis in three separate animal models (Wang et al. in Fibrogenesis Tissue Repair 4:1–4, 2011). This commentary addresses recent data indicating that CCN2 appears to represent a key central mediator of fibrosis and a good target for anti-fibrotic drug intervention.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departments of Dentistry and Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada, N6A 5C1

    Andrew Leask

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  1. Andrew Leask
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Correspondence to Andrew Leask.

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Leask, A. CCN2: a bona fide target for anti-fibrotic drug intervention. J. Cell Commun. Signal. 5, 131–133 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12079-011-0125-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12079-011-0125-3

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