title: CCN2: a bona fide target for anti-fibrotic drug intervention.
abstract: CCN2 (formerly known as connective tissue growth factor) was identified by several different laboratories approximately 20 years ago. Almost since its identification as a factor induced in normal fibroblasts by transforming growth factor β and overexpressed in fibrotic disease, CCN2 has been hypothesized to be not only a marker but also a central mediator of fibrosis in vivo. Finally, in vivo data are emerging to validate this key hypothesis. For example, a neutralizing anti-CCN2 antibody was found to attenuate fibrogenesis in three separate animal models (Wang et al. in Fibrogenesis Tissue Repair 4:1-4, 2011). This commentary addresses recent data indicating that CCN2 appears to represent a key central mediator of fibrosis and a good target for anti-fibrotic drug intervention.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Dentistry and Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada, N6A 5C1, Andrew.leask@schulich.uwo.ca.
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Leask