title: Connective tissue growth factor in the ovarian paracrine system.
abstract: The endocrine actions of follicle stimulating hormone and luteinising hormone on ovarian cells are transduced by locally produced paracrine factors that regulate the formation of extracellular matrix, proteolytic enzymes and protease inhibitors, which continuously remodel the parenchymal environment in which follicles develop. We recently identified connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) as a gene expressed during the predifferentiated stage of granulosa cell development in rat ovary. The CTGF gene encodes a protein that is implicated in the regulation of connective tissue synthesis, mototaxis, angiogenesis and cellular interaction with ECM at various sites in the body. Stimulation of granulosa cells by FSH in vitro and in vivo induces follicular maturation associated with down-regulation of granulosa cell CTGF mRNA expression. The gene remains expressed in cells of the innermost (antrally located) granulosa compartment up to and after the point of ovulation. Based on the inferred biological properties of CTGF protein and the spatiotemporal pattern of CTGF mRNA expression in the ovary, we postulate roles for ovarian CTGF during early stages of follicular development and after ovulation in the formation of the corpus luteum.
authors: Reproductive Medicine Laboratory, Department of Reproductive and Developmental Sciences, University of Edinburgh Centre for Reproductive Biology, 37 Chalmers Street, EH3 9ET, Edinburgh, UK.
authors: C R
authors: CR
authors: Harlow
authors: Stephen G
authors: SG
authors: Hillier
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D055513:Connective Tissue Growth Factor; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006107:Granulosa Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D017874:Immediate-Early Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D010053:Ovary / Q000166:cytology / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D019899:Paracrine Communication / Q000502:physiology*; D051381:Rats
chemical_list: C526317:CCN2 protein, human; C526316:CCN2 protein, rat; D017874:Immediate-Early Proteins; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D055513:Connective Tissue Growth Factor