title: Clinical significance and pathogenic function of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF/CCN2) in osteolytic mandibular squamous cell carcinoma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Mandibular bone destruction is a frequent occurrence in oral squamous cell carcinoma. However, the relationship between the bone destruction and associated factors is unclear. Here, the role and diagnostic utility of connective tissue growth factor (CCN2) in bone destruction of the mandible was investigated.
  
  
  METHODS
  The production of CCN2 was explored by using immunohistochemistry on paraffin-embedded tissues from 20 cases of mandibular squamous cell carcinoma. The effect of CCN2 on osteoclastogenesis was examined in vitro by using total bone marrow cell populations from male mice.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Immunohistochemical analysis showed that CCN2-positive signals were closely associated with destructive invasion of the mandible by oral squamous cell carcinomas. Consistent with these results, recombinant human CCN2 (rCCN2) stimulated tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP)-positive osteoclast-like cell formation in vitro.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CCN2 can be considered a diagnostic marker and target for treatment in oral osteolytic mandibular squamous cell carcinoma.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan. shimotsu@md.okayama-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: Tsuyoshi
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authors.lastname: Shimo
authors.forename: Satoshi
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authors.lastname: Kubota
authors.forename: Takeshi
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authors.forename: Yasuto
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authors.lastname: Yoshihama
authors.forename: Naito
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authors.forename: Takashi
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authors.lastname: Nishida
authors.forename: Poh-Sing
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authors.forename: Koki
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authors.lastname: Endo
authors.forename: Masaharu
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authors.lastname: Takigawa
authors.forename: Akira
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authors.lastname: Sasakii