title: Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF/CCN2) ELISA: a novel tool for monitoring fibrosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) has been identified as a key factor in the pathogenesis of diseases with significant fibrosis-related complications such as hepatitis, diabetes and renal transplantation. Increasing evidence shows that CTGF levels in plasma, serum and urine have promising biomarker applicability in these disorders.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To present an overview of current knowledge on CTGF in various patient populations and the technical aspects of CTGF measurement by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a comprehensive literature search by using electronic bibliographic databases.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CTGF is associated with disease severity parameters and outcome in fibrotic disease and may have diagnostic and prognostic values. However, CTGF ELISA needs standardization.
authors: Department of Pathology, University Medical Center Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors: Amélie
authors: A
authors: Dendooven
authors: Karin G
authors: KG
authors: Gerritsen
authors: Tri Q
authors: TQ
authors: Nguyen
authors: Robbert J
authors: RJ
authors: Kok
authors: Roel
authors: R
authors: Goldschmeding