title: Effect of connective tissue growth factor (CCN2/CTGF) on proliferation and differentiation of mouse periodontal ligament-derived cells.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  CCN2/CTGF is known to be involved in tooth germ development and periodontal tissue remodeling, as well as in mesenchymal tissue development and regeneration. In this present study, we investigated the roles of CCN2/CTGF in the proliferation and differentiation of periodontal ligament cells (murine periodontal ligament-derived cell line: MPL) in vitro.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In cell cultures of MPL, the mRNA expression of the CCN2/CTGF gene was stronger in sparse cultures than in confluent ones and was significantly enhanced by TGF-beta. The addition of recombinant CCN2/CTGF (rCCN2) to MPL cultures stimulated DNA synthesis and cell growth in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, rCCN2 addition also enhanced the mRNA expression of alkaline phosphatase (ALPase), type I collagen, and periostin, the latter of which is considered to be a specific marker of the periosteum and periodontium; whereas it showed little effect on the mRNA expression of typical osteoblastic markers, e.g., osteopontin and osteocalcin. Finally, rCCN2/CTGF also stimulated ALPase activity and collagen synthesis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results taken together suggest important roles of CCN2/CTGF in the development and regeneration of periodontal tissue including the periodontal ligament.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Dentistry, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan. asanoma@dent.tokushima-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: Masahiro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Asano
authors.forename: Satoshi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kubota
authors.forename: Tohru
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nakanishi
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nishida
authors.forename: Tomoichiro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yamaai
authors.forename: Gen
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Yosimichi
authors.forename: Kazumi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ohyama
authors.forename: Tomosada
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sugimoto
authors.forename: Yoji
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Murayama
authors.forename: Masaharu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Takigawa