title: An Analysis of Pathological Activities of CCN Proteins in Joint Disorders: Mechanical Stretch-Mediated CCN2 Expression in Cultured Meniscus Cells.
abstract: The multifunctional growth factor CYR61/CTGF/NOV (CCN) 2, also known as connective tissue growth factor, regulates cellular proliferation, differentiation, and tissue regeneration. Recent literatures have described important roles of CCN2 in the meniscus metabolism. However, the mechanical stress-mediated transcriptional regulation of CCN2 in the meniscus remains unclear. The meniscus is a fibrocartilaginous tissue that controls complex biomechanics of the knee joint. Therefore, the injured unstable meniscus has a poor healing potential especially in the avascular inner region. In addition, dysfunction of the meniscus correlates with the progression of degenerative knee joint disorders and joint space narrowing. Here, we describe an experimental approach that investigates the distinct cellular behavior of inner and outer meniscus cells in response to mechanical stretch. Our experimental model can analyze the relationships between stretch-induced CCN2 expression and its functional role in the meniscus homeostasis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School, 2-5-1 Shikatacho, Kitaku, Okayama, 700-8558, Japan. matino@md.okayama-u.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Takayuki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Furumatsu
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Okayama University Graduate School, 2-5-1 Shikatacho, Kitaku, Okayama, 700-8558, Japan.
authors.forename: Toshifumi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ozaki
mesh_terms: D055511:CCN Intercellular Signaling Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D047369:Chromatin Immunoprecipitation; D055513:Connective Tissue Growth Factor / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015870:Gene Expression; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D007592:Joint Diseases / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D000072600:Meniscus / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D013314:Stress, Mechanical
chemical_list: D055511:CCN Intercellular Signaling Proteins; D055513:Connective Tissue Growth Factor
keywords: CCN2; Mechanical stretch; Meniscus; Meniscus cells; Transcriptional regulation