• Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine
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• 제15권6호
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• pp.711-719
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• 2018

BACKGROUND: Collagen organization within tissues has a critical role in wound regeneration. Collagen fibril diameter, arrangements and maturity between connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) small interfering RNA (siRNA) and mismatch scrambled siRNA-treated wound were compared to evaluate the efficacy of CTGF siRNA as a future implement for scar preventive medicine. METHODS: Nanocomplexes of CTGF small interfering RNA (CTGF siRNA) with cell penetrating peptides (KALA and $MPG^{{\Delta}NLS}$) were formulated and their effects on CTGF downregulation, collagen fibril diameter and arrangement were investigated. Various ratios of CTGF siRNA and peptide complexes were prepared and down-regulation were evaluated by immunoblot analysis. Control and CTGF siRNA modified cells-populated collagen lattices were prepared and rates of contraction measured. Collagen organization in rabbit ear 8 mm biopsy punch wound at 1 day to 8 wks post injury time were investigated by transmission electron microscopy and histology was investigated with Olympus System and TS-Auto software. CONCLUSION: CTGF expression was down-regulated to 40% of control by CTGF siRNA/KALA (1:24) complexes (p<0.01) and collagen lattice contraction was inhibited. However, down-regulated of CTGF by CTGF $siRNA/MPG^{{\Delta}NLS}$ complexes was not statistically significant. CTGF KALA-treated wound appeared with well formed-basket weave pattern of collagen fibrils with mean diameter of $128{\pm}22nm$ (n = 821). Mismatch siRNA/KALA-treated wound showed a high frequency of parallel small diameter fibrils (mean $90{\pm}20nm$, n = 563). CONCLUSION: Controlling over-expression of CTGF by peptide-mediated siRNA delivery could improve the collagen orientation and tissue remodeling in full thickness rabbit ear wound.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제22권2호
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• pp.193-201
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• 2018

Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) is a novel fibrotic mediator, which is considered to mediate fibrosis through extracellular matrix (ECM) synthesis in diabetic cardiovascular complications. Statins have significant immunomodulatory effects and reduce vascular injury. We therefore examined whether fluvastatin has anti-fibrotic effects in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and elucidated its putative transduction signals. We show that advanced glycation end products (AGEs) stimulated CTGF mRNA and protein expression in a time-dependent manner. AGE-induced CTGF expression was mediated via ERK1/2, JNK, and Egr-1 pathways, but not p38; consequently, cell proliferation and migration and ECM accumulation were regulated by CTGF signaling pathway. AGE-stimulated VSMC proliferation, migration, and ECM accumulation were blocked by fluvastatin. However, the inhibitory effect of fluvastatin was restored by administration of CTGF recombinant protein. AGE-induced VSMC proliferation was dependent on cell cycle arrest, thereby increasing G1/G0 phase. Fluvastatin repressed cell cycle regulatory genes cyclin D1 and Cdk4 and augmented cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors p27 and p21 in AGE-induced VSMCs. Taken together, fluvastatin suppressed AGE-induced VSMC proliferation, migration, and ECM accumulation by targeting CTGF signaling mechanism. These findings might be evidence for CTGF as a potential therapeutic target in diabetic vasculature complication.

• 대한골관절종양학회지
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• 제20권1호
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• pp.1-6
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• 2014

목적: 골육종에서 Connective Tissue Growth Factor (CTGF)의 발현 정도를 확인하고 발암기전에서의 역할을 살펴보고자 하였다. 대상 및 방법: 환자에서 수립한 23개의 골육종 세포주에서 CTGF의 발현 정도를 관찰하였으며, siRNA를 이용하여 CTGF의 발현을 억제한 후 세포침습과 세포 증식에서 CTGF의 역할을 분석하였다. 결과: 17명(74%)의 세포주에서 control 세포인 정상 골모세포보다 CTGF의 발현이 증가되어 있었다. CTGF의 발암기전에서의 역할을 관찰하기 위해 불멸화된 골육종 세포주 SaOS-2와 MG63에서 siRNA로 CTGF의 발현을 억제한 후 siRNA를 transfection한 세포에서 유의하게 세포침습이 억제되고 세포 증식이 억제되는 것을 관찰하였다. 결론: 골육종 세포주에서 CTGF의 발현이 높았고 세포침습, 세포 성장에 관여하는 바 CTGF가 골육종의 발암기전에서 중요한 역할을 하는 것으로 판단된다.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제16권16호
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• pp.7205-7210
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• 2015

Background: In this study, influence caused by expression plasmids of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) short hairpin RNA (shRNA) on mRNA expression of CTGF,TIMP-1,procol-${\alpha}1$ and PCIII in hepatic tissue with hepatic fibrosis, a precancerous condition, in rats is analyzed. Materials and Methods: To screen and construct shRNA expression plasimid which effectively interferes RNA targets of CTGF and TIMP-1 in rats. 50 cleaning Wistar male rats are allocated randomly at 5 different groups after precancerous fibrosis models and then injection of shRNA expression plasimids. Plasmid psiRNA-GFP-Com (CTGF and TIMP-1 included), psiRNA-GFP-CTGF, psiRNA-GFP-TIMP-1 and psiRNA-DUO-GFPzeo of blank plasmid are injected at group A, B, C and D, respectively, and as model control group that none plasimid is injected at group E. In 2 weeks after last injection, to hepatic tissue at different groups, protein expression of CTGF, TIMP-1, procol-${\alpha}1$ and PC III is tested by immunohistochemical method and,mRNA expression of CTGF,TIMP-1,procol-${\alpha}1$ and PCIII is measured by real-time PCR. One-way ANOVA is used to comparison between-groups. Results: Compared with model group, there is no obvious difference of mRNA expression among CTGF,TIMP-1,procol-${\alpha}1$, PC III and of protein expression among CTGF, TIMP-1, procol-${\alpha}1$, PC III in hepatic tissue at group injected with blank plasmid. Expression quantity of mRNA of CTGF, TIMP-1, procol-${\alpha}1$ and PCIII at group A, B and C decreases, protein expression of CTGF, TIMP-1, procol-${\alpha}1$, PC III in hepatic tissue is lower, where the inhibition of combination RNA interference group (group A) on procol-${\alpha}1$ mRNA transcription and procol-${\alpha}1$ protein expression is superior to that of single interference group (group B and C) (P<0.01 or P<0.05). Conclusions: RNA interference on CTGF and/or TIMP-1 is obviously a inhibiting factor for mRNA and protein expression of CTGF, TIMP-1, procol-${\alpha}1$ and PCIII. Combination RNA interference on genes of CTGF and TIMP-1 is superior to that of single RNA interference, and this could be a contribution for prevention of precancerous condition.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제17권4호
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• pp.307-314
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• 2013

Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) is a potent pro-fibrotic factor, which is implicated in fibrosis through extracellular matrix (ECM) induction in diabetic cardiovascular complications. It is an important downstream mediator in the fibrotic action of transforming growth factor ${\beta}$ ($TGF{\beta}$) and is potentially induced by hyperglycemia in human vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Therefore, the goal of this study is to identify the signaling pathways of CTGF effects on ECM accumulation and cell proliferation in VSMCs under hyperglycemia. We found that high glucose stimulated the levels of CTGF mRNA and protein and followed by VSMC proliferation and ECM components accumulation such as collagen type 1, collagen type 3 and fibronectin. By depleting endogenous CTGF we showed that CTGF is indispensable for the cell proliferation and ECM components accumulation in high glucose-stimulated VSMCs. In addition, pretreatment with the MEK1/2 specific inhibitors, PD98059 or U0126 potently inhibited the CTGF production and ECM components accumulation in high glucose-stimulated VSMCs. Furthermore, knockdown with ERK1/2 MAPK siRNA resulted in significantly down regulated of CTGF production, ECM components accumulation and cell proliferation in high glucose-stimulated VSMCs. Finally, ERK1/2 signaling regulated Egr-1 protein expression and treatment with recombinant CTGF reversed the Egr-1 expression in high glucose-induced VSMCs. It is conceivable that ERK1/2 MAPK signaling pathway plays an important role in regulating CTGF expression and suggests that blockade of CTGF through ERK1/2 MAPK signaling may be beneficial for therapeutic target of diabetic cardiovascular complication such as atherosclerosis.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제32권1호
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• pp.126-140
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• 2022

Stem cells can be applied usefully in basic research and clinical field due to their differentiation and self-renewal capacity. The aim of this study was to establish an effective novel therapeutic cellular source and create its molecular expression profile map to elucidate the possible therapeutic mechanism and signaling pathway. We successfully obtained a mesenchymal stem cell population from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) cultured on chemically defined feeder-free conditions and treated with connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) and performed the expressive proteomic approach to elucidate the molecular basis. We further selected 12 differentially expressed proteins in CTGF-induced hESC-derived mesenchymal stem cells (C-hESC-MSCs), which were found to be involved in the metabolic process, immune response, cell signaling, and cell proliferation, as compared to bone marrow derived-MSCs(BM-MSCs). Moreover, these up-regulated proteins were potentially related to the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. These results suggest that C-hESC-MSCs are a highly proliferative cell population, which can interact with the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway; thus, due to the upregulated cell survival ability or downregulated apoptosis effects of C-hESC-MSCs, these can be used as an unlimited cellular source in the cell therapy field for a higher therapeutic potential. Overall, the study provided valuable insights into the molecular functioning of hESC derivatives as a valuable cellular source.

• 대한구강악안면병리학회지
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• 제41권4호
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• pp.155-162
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• 2017

Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF, CCN2) is one of the multi-functional secreted proteins which belong to CCN family of cysteine-rich growth factors. CTGF is known to have pivotal roles in embryonic endochondral ossification but its role in relevance to periodontitis is never been determined. To identify new molecular mediators associated with periodontitis-induced bone resorption, we have analyzed publicly available GEO database and found the markedly augmented CTGF mRNA expression in periodontitis gingival tissues. The existence of CTGF significantly enhanced mature osteoclasts survival which accompanied by reduction in TUNEL-positive nuclei and PARP cleavage. These results may provide another line of evidence the CTGF mediated prolonged osteoclast survival and subsequent increased bone resorption in the periodontitis patients.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제38권1호
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• pp.75-80
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• 2015

Osteoclasts are unique cells responsible for the resorption of bone matrix. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are involved in the regulation of a wide range of physiological processes. Here, we examined the role of miR-26a in RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis. The expression of miR-26a was upregulated by RANKL at the late stage of osteoclastogenesis. Ectopic expression of an miR-26a mimic in osteoclast precursor cells attenuated osteoclast formation, actin-ring formation, and bone resorption by suppressing the expression of connective tissue growth factor/CCN family 2 (CTGF/CCN2), which can promote osteoclast formation via upregulation of dendritic cell-specific transmembrane protein (DC-STAMP). On the other hand, overexpression of miR-26a inhibitor enhanced RANKL-induced osteoclast formation and function as well as CTGF expression. In addition, the inhibitory effect of miR-26a on osteoclast formation and function was prevented by treatment with recombinant CTGF. Collectively, our results suggest that miR-26a modulates osteoclast formation and function through the regulation of CTGF.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• 제46권7호
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• pp.687-694
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• 2003

목 적 : 급성 허혈성 신손상 후 손상된 세뇨관 상피세포의 재생은 순환하거나 국소적으로 생성된 성장인자나 cytokine, 생리적 인자 및 주위 환경들의 조절에 의해 매개되는 것으로 알려져 있다. 따라서 급성 허혈성 신손상 후 신기능 회복에 따른 혈중 IGF-I의 변화와 전체 신장조직과 각 부위에 따른 IGF-I, -II, VEGF, $TGF-{\beta}1$, CTGF의 mRNA 발현의 변화를 알아보는데 연구의 목적이 있다. 방 법 : 체중이 250-300 g의 백서를 대상으로 급성 허혈성 신손상을 시켜 유발된 급성 신부전 모델을 이용하여 급성 신부전의 진행과정에 따라 혈청 IGF-I치와 여러 성장인자 발현의 변화를 측정하였다. 급성 신부전 진행은 혈청 크레아티닌을 측정하여 평가하였고 혈청 IGF-I 농도는 iodinated IGF-I과 polyclonal anti-IGF-I 항체를 이용한 방사면역 측정법을 이용하여 측정하였다. 신장에서 성장인자의 발현은 RT-PCR을 이용하였고 신장조직에서의 RNA 추출은 통상적인 방법에 준하였다. 신장에서의 IGF-I과 CTGF의 분포는 anti-IGF-I 항체와 anti-CTGF 항체를 이용한 면역조직화학법을 이용하였다. 결 과 : 1) 양측 신동맥을 결찰한 후 1일째부터 체중 감소와 혈청 크레아티닌치의 증가가 관찰되었는데 이러한 변화는 3일째에 가장 현저하였다. 혈청 IGF-I은 신손상 후 1일 째 현저하게 감소하였고 신손상 3일째에 더 증가되었다가 5일째부터는 신손상 전으로 회복되었다. 2) 신기능 회복에 따른 성장인자의 변화는 거의 유사하였다. IGF-I, IGF-II, $TGF-{\beta}1$ 및 VEGF의 mRNA 발현은 허혈성 신손상 후 1일째에 현저하게 감소하였고 신손상 3일째에는 신손상 전에 비해 증가하였으며 7일째에는 거의 신손상 전의 수준으로 회복되었다. 3) IGF-I과 IGF-II는 정상 신장에서는 주로 수질부 특히 바 깥쪽 수질부에서 발현되었고 허혈성 신손상 1일째에 현저하게 감소하였다가 3일째에는 정상 수준으로 회복되었다. $TGF-{\beta}1$은 정상에서 신수질부에서 주로 발현되었고 1일째는 현저하게 감소하였다가 회복되는 소견을 보였다. CTGF와 VEGF는 정상 신장의 수질부와 피질부 모두에서 발현되었으며 신손상 1일째에 현저하게 감소되었다가 3일째부터 정상 수준으로 회복되는 소견을 보였다. 4) 정상 백서의 신장에서 IGF-I은 주로 피질부위의 신세뇨관에 분포하였고 사구체에서는 발견되지 않았는데 급성 허혈성 신손상 후 1일째 신장의 피질부위에서는 IGF-I가 현저히 감소되었다. CTGF는 정상 백서의 신장에서는 주로 혈관에 분포하는 소견을 보였는데 신손상 3일째에는 세뇨관에서 현저한 증가가 관찰되었다. 결 론: 이번의 연구로 저자들은 IGF-I, IGF-II, $TGF-{\beta}1$, CTGF, VEGF 등과 같은 성장인자가 급성 허혈성 신손상 후 신기능과 세뇨관세포의 회복과정에 발현의 변화가 초래된다는 사실을 알 수 있었다. 따라서 신기능 회복을 촉진시키기 위해 여러 성장인자를 급성신부전 치료제로 사용할 수 있을 것으로 생각되고 이에 대한 연구가 더 필요할 것으로 생각된다.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• 제23권4호
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• pp.346-355
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• 2020

Purpose: Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ) has a key role in hepatic fibrogenesis by virtue of its effect on the hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). Although many studies have shown that PPAR-γ agonists inhibit liver fibrosis, the mechanism remains largely unclear, especially regarding the cross-talk between PPAR-γ and other potent fibrogenic factors. Methods: This experimental study involved 25 male Wistar rats. Twenty rats were subjected to bile duct ligation (BDL) to induce liver fibrosis, further divided into an untreated group (BDL; n=10) and a group treated with the PPAR-γ agonist thiazolidinedione (TZD), at 14 days post-operation (BDL+TZD; n=10). The remaining 5 rats had a sham operation (sham; n=5). The effect of PPAR-γ agonist on liver fibrosis was evaluated by histopathology, protein immunohistochemistry, and mRNA expression quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Results: Histology and immunostaining showed markedly reduced collagen deposition, bile duct proliferation, and HSCs in the BDL+TZD group compared to those in the BDL group (p<0.001). Similarly, significantly lower mRNA expression of collagen α-1(I), matrix metalloproteinase-2, platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-B chain, and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) were evident in the BDL+TZD group compared to those in the BDL group (p=0.0002, p<0.035, p<0.0001, and p=0.0123 respectively). Moreover, expression of the transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-β1) was also downregulated in the BDL+TZD group (p=0.0087). Conclusion: The PPAR-γ agonist inhibits HSC activation in vivo and attenuates liver fibrosis through several fibrogenic pathways. Potent fibrogenic factors such as PDGF, CTGF, and TGF-β1 were downregulated by the PPAR-γ agonist. Targeting PPAR-γ activity may be a potential strategy to control liver fibrosis.