Open AccessCCN2/decorin interactions: a novel approach to combating fibrosis?
Author(s) -
Leask Andrew
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
journal of cell communication and signaling
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.329
H-Index - 44
eISSN - 1873-961X
pISSN - 1873-9601
DOI - 10.1007/s12079-011-0134-2
Subject(s) - decorin , ctgf , fibrosis , peptide , connective tissue , in vitro , extracellular matrix , growth factor , chemistry , microbiology and biotechnology , cancer research , proteoglycan , medicine , biology , biochemistry , pathology , receptor
Abstract CCN2 (connective tissue growth factor, CTGF), a member of the CCN family is overexpressed in fibrotic disease and is essential for the development of experimental fibrosis. Drugs targeting CCN2 action may therefore prove to be useful anti‐fibrotic approaches. CCN2 acts via integrins and heparan sulfate‐containing proteoglycans (HSPGs). In a recent study, Vial and colleagues (2011) show that decorin can bind CCN2. A peptide corresponding to the leucine rich repeats peptide 12 region of decorin can neutralize CCN2‐mediated activity on C2C12 cells in vitro. Thus it is conceivable that this peptide could be used in the future as a novel antifibrotic approach.