The role of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) in fibroproliferative processes and tissues fibrosis

Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) has been first described by Bradham in 1991 as anew mitogen produced by human umbilical vein endothelial cells. However, results from the last few years indicate that CTGF not only stimulates cells proliferation, but also possesses outstanding profibrotic properties. CTGF is a downstream mediator of TGF-beta action in normal as well as in pathological processes taking place in connective tissue. Even more, recent data shows that in most fibrosing disorders, TGF-beta is responsible rather for the pathological process initiation, whereas CTGF is responsible for fibrosis progression. The significant role of CTGF in fibrosis is additionally confirmed by the fact, that CTGF expression can be induced not only by TGF-beta, but also by other physiological and environmental factors.