Role of NOV and CTGF in PDGF and TGF-β signaling in hepatic fibrogenesis

Aims: CYR61 (CCN1), CTGF (CCN2) and NOV (CCN3) belong to the CCN protein family. They share a modular structure with a secretary signal peptide, an insulin-like growth factor binding protein-like domain, a von Willebrand factor type C and a Thrombospondin type-1 repeat module and a cysteine knot containing module. These cysteine-rich proteins are secreted and play an essential role in fibrogenesis [1]. Recently it was demonstrated that NOV and CTGF appear to act in a Yin/Yang manner to regulate extracellular matrix (ECM) metabolism [2]. Here we aimed to analyse the synergy of CTGF and TGF-β in the regulation of ECM synthesis in the hepatic stellate cell line GRX and cell proliferation in EA·hy 926 endothelial cells.