Faculty Profiles - TAKIGAWA Masaharu

The CCN family acting throughout the body: Recent research developments Reviewed

Satoshi Kubota, Masaharu Takigawa

Biomolecular Concepts 4 ( 5 ) 477 - 494 2013.10

Language：English Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)

The animal body is composed of a variety of cells and extracellular matrices that are organized and orchestrated in a harmonized manner to support life. Therefore, the critical importance of a comprehensive understanding of the molecular network surrounding and integrating the cells is now emphasized. The CCN family is a novel group of matricellular proteins that interact with and orchestrate a number of extracellular signaling and matrix molecules to construct and maintain living tissues. This family comprises six distinct members in mammals, which are characterized by a unique and conserved modular structure. These proteins are not targeted to limited and specific receptors to execute specific missions, but manipulate a vast number of biomolecules in the network by serving as a molecular hub at the center. The unified nomenclature, CCN, originates from a simple acronym of the three classical members, which helps us to avoid having any preconception about their pleiotropic and anonymous functional nature. In this review, after a brief summary of the general molecular concepts regarding the CCN family, new aspects of each member uncovered by recent research are introduced, which represent, nevertheless, only the tip of the iceberg of the profound functionality of these molecules. © 2013 Walter de Gruyter GmbH.

DOI： 10.1515/bmc-2013-0018

Scopus

Novel role of miR-181a in cartilage metabolism. Reviewed

Sumiyoshi K, Kubota S, Ohgawara T, Kawata K, Abd El Kader T, Nishida T, Ikeda N, Shimo T, Yamashiro T, Takigawa M

Journal of cellular biochemistry 114 ( 9 ) 2094 - 2100 2013.9

Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)

Micro RNA (miRNA) is a small non-coding post-transcriptional RNA regulator that is involved in a variety of biological events. In order to specify the role of miRNAs in cartilage metabolism, we comparatively analyzed the expression profile of known miRNAs in chicken sternum chondrocytes representing early and late differentiation stages. Interestingly, none of the miRNAs displaying strong expression levels showed remarkable changes along with differentiation, suggesting their roles in maintaining the homeostasis rather than cytodifferentiation of chondrocytes. Among these miRNAs, miR-181a, which is known to play critical roles in a number of tissues, was selected and was further characterized. Human microarray analysis revealed remarkably stronger expression of miR-181a in human HCS-2/8 cells, which strongly maintained a chondrocytic phenotype, than in HeLa cells, indicating its significant role in chondrocytes. Indeed, subsequent investigation indicated that miR-181a repressed the expression of two genes involved in cartilage development. One was CCN family member 1 (CCN1), which promotes chondrogenesis; and the other, the gene encoding the core protein of aggrecan, a major cartilaginous proteoglycan, aggrecan. Based on these findings, negative feedback system via miR-181a to conserve the integrity of the cartilaginous phenotype may be proposed. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

DOI： 10.1002/jcb.24556

Scopus

Other Link： http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4419-9643

CCN Family Member 2/Connective Tissue Growth Factor (CCN2/CTGF) Has Anti-Aging Effects That Protect Articular Cartilage from Age-Related Degenerative Changes Reviewed

Itoh Shinsuke, Hattori Takako, Tomita Nao, Aoyama Eriko, Yutani Yasutaka, Yamashiro Takashi, Takigawa Masaharu

PLOS ONE 8 ( 8 ) e71156 2013.8

Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)

To examine the role of connective tissue growth factor CCN2/CTGF (CCN2) in the maintenance of the articular cartilaginous phenotype, we analyzed knee joints from aging transgenic mice (TG) overexpressing CCN2 driven by the Col2a1 promoter. Knee joints from 3-, 14-, 40-, and 60-day-old and 5-, 12-, 18-, 21-, and 24-month-old littermates were analyzed. Ccn2-LacZ transgene expression in articular cartilage was followed by X-gal staining until 5 months of age. Overexpression of CCN2 protein was confirmed through all ages in TG articular cartilage and in growth plates. Radiographic analysis of knee joints showed a narrowing joint space and other features of osteoarthritis in 50% of WT, but not in any of the TG mice. Transgenic articular cartilage showed enhanced toluidine blue and safranin-O staining as well as chondrocyte proliferation but reduced staining for type X and I collagen and MMP-13 as compared with those parameters for WT cartilage. Staining for aggrecan neoepitope, a marker of aggrecan degradation in WT articular cartilage, increased at 5 and 12 months, but disappeared at 24 months due to loss of cartilage; whereas it was reduced in TG articular cartilage after 12 months. Expression of cartilage genes and MMPs under cyclic tension stress (CTS) was measured by using primary cultures of chondrocytes obtained from wild-type (WT) rib cartilage and TG or WT epiphyseal cartilage. CTS applied to primary cultures of mock-transfected rib chondrocytes from WT cartilage and WT epiphyseal cartilage induced expression of Col1a1, ColXa1, Mmp-13, and Mmp-9 mRNAs; however, their levels were not affected in CCN2-overexpressing chondrocytes and TG epiphyseal cartilage. In conclusion, cartilage-specific overexpression of CCN2 during the developmental and growth periods reduced age-related changes in articular cartilage. Thus CCN2 may play a role as an anti-aging factor by stabilizing articular cartilage. © 2013 Itoh et al.

DOI： 10.1371/journal.pone.0071156

CCN2: a master regulator of the genesis of bone and cartilage Reviewed

Masaharu Takigawa

JOURNAL OF CELL COMMUNICATION AND SIGNALING 7 ( 3 ) 191 - 201 2013.8

Language：English Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal) Publisher：SPRINGER

CCN family member 2 (CCN2), also known as connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), has been suggested to be an endochondral ossification genetic factor that has been termed "ecogenin", because in vitro studies revealed that CCN2 promotes the proliferation and differentiation of growth-plate chondrocytes, osteoblasts, and vascular endothelial cells, all of which play important roles in endochondral ossification. In addition to its action toward these three types of cells, CCN2 was recently found to promote the formation of osteoclasts in vitro, which cells play an important role in the replacement of cartilage by bone during endochondral ossification, thus strengthening the "ecogenin" hypothesis. For confirmation of this hypothesis, transgenic mice over-expressing CCN2 in cartilage were generated. The results proved the hypothesis; i.e., the over-expression of CCN2 in cartilage stimulated the proliferation and differentiation of growth-plate chondrocytes, resulting in the promotion of endochondral ossification. In addition to its "ecogenin" action, CCN2 had earlier been shown to promote the differentiation of various cartilage cells including articular cartilage cells. In accordance with these findings, cartilage-specific overexpression of CCN2 in the transgenic mice was shown to protect against the development of osteoarthritic changes in aging articular cartilage. Thus, CCN2 may also play a role as an anti-aging (chondroprotective) factor, stabilizing articular cartilage. CCN2 also had been shown to promote intramembranous ossification, regenerate cartilage and bone, and induce angiogenesis in vivo. For understanding of the molecular mechanism underlying such multifunctional actions, yeast two-hybrid analysis, protein array analysis, solid-phase binding assay, and surface plasmon resonance (SPR) analysis have been used to search for binding partners of CCN2. ECMs such as fibronectin and aggrecan, growth factors including BMPs and FGF2 and their receptors such as FGFR1 and 2 and RANK, as well as CCN family members themselves, were shown to bind to CCN2. Regarding the interaction of CCN2 with some of them, various binding modules in the CCN2 molecule have been identified. Therefore, the numerous biological actions of CCN2 would depend on what kinds of binding partners and what levels of them are present in the microenvironment of different types of cells, as well as on the state of differentiation of these cells. Through this mechanism, CCN2 would orchestrate various signaling pathways, acting as a signal conductor to promote harmonized skeletal growth and regeneration.

DOI： 10.1007/s12079-013-0204-8

Cartilage-Specific Over-Expression of CCN Family Member 2/Connective Tissue Growth Factor (CCN2/CTGF) Stimulates Insulin-Like Growth Factor Expression and Bone Growth Reviewed

Tomita Nao, Hattori Takako, Itoh Shinsuke, Aoyama Eriko, Yao Mayumi, Yamashiro Takashi, Takigawa Masaharu

PLOS ONE 8 ( 3 ) e59226 2013.3

Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)

Previously we showed that CCN family member 2/connective tissue growth factor (CCN2) promotes the proliferation, differentiation, and maturation of growth cartilage cells in vitro. To elucidate the specific role and molecular mechanism of CCN2 in cartilage development in vivo, in the present study we generated transgenic mice overexpressing CCN2 and analyzed them with respect to cartilage and bone development. Transgenic mice were generated expressing a ccn2/lacZ fusion gene in cartilage under the control of the 6 kb-Col2a1-enhancer/promoter. Changes in cartilage and bone development were analyzed histologically and immunohistologically and also by micro CT. Primary chondrocytes as well as limb bud mesenchymal cells were cultured and analyzed for changes in expression of cartilage-related genes, and non-transgenic chondrocytes were treated in culture with recombinant CCN2. Newborn transgenic mice showed extended length of their long bones, increased content of proteoglycans and collagen II accumulation. Micro-CT analysis of transgenic bones indicated increases in bone thickness and mineral density. Chondrocyte proliferation was enhanced in the transgenic cartilage. In in vitro short-term cultures of transgenic chondrocytes, the expression of col2a1, aggrecan and ccn2 genes was substantially enhanced; and in long-term cultures the expression levels of these genes were further enhanced. Also, in vitro chondrogenesis was strongly enhanced. IGF-I and IGF-II mRNA levels were elevated in transgenic chondrocytes, and treatment of non-transgenic chondrocytes with recombinant CCN2 stimulated the expression of these mRNA. The addition of CCN2 to non-transgenic chondrocytes induced the phosphorylation of IGFR, and ccn2-overexpressing chondrocytes showed enhanced phosphorylation of IGFR. Our data indicates that the observed effects of CCN2 may be mediated in part by CCN2-induced overexpression of IGF-I and IGF-II. These findings indicate that CCN2-overexpression in transgenic mice accelerated the endochondral ossification processes, resulting in increased length of their long bones. Our results also indicate the possible involvement of locally enhanced IGF-I or IGF-II in this extended bone growth. © 2013 Tomita et al.

DOI： 10.1371/journal.pone.0059226

Anti-fibrotic effect of CCN3 accompanied by altered gene expression profile of the CCN family Reviewed International journal

El Kader, Tarek Abd, Kubota Satoshi, Janune Danilo, Nishida Takashi, Hattori Takako, Aoyama Eriko, Perbal Bernard, Kuboki Takuo, Takigawa Masaharu

JOURNAL OF CELL COMMUNICATION AND SIGNALING 7 ( 1 ) 11 - 18 2013.3

Language：English Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)

CCN family proteins 2 and 3 (CCN2 and CCN3) belong to the CCN family of proteins, all having a high level of structural similarity. It is widely known that CCN2 is a profibrotic molecule that mediates the development of fibrotic disorders in many different tissues and organs. In contrast, CCN3 has been recently suggested to act as an anti-fibrotic factor in several tissues. This CCN3 action was shown earlier to be exerted by the repression of the CCN2 gene expression in kidney tissue, whereas different findings were obtained for liver cells. Thus, the molecular action of CCN3 yielding its anti-fibrotic effect is still controversial. Here, using a general model of fibrosis, we evaluated the effect of CCN3 overexpression on the gene expression of all of the CCN family members, as well as on that of fibrotic marker genes. As a result, repression of CCN2 gene expression was modest, while type I collagen and α-smooth muscle actin gene expression was prominently repressed. Interestingly, not only CCN2, but also CCN4 gene expression showed a decrease upon CCN3 overexpression. These findings indicate that fibrotic gene induction is under the control of a complex molecular network conducted by CCN family members functioning together.

DOI： 10.1007/s12079-012-0180-4

The CCN2-inducer harmine promotes chondrogenesis and protects against TNFα-induced ablation of chondrocytic phenotype Reviewed

Hara, E.S, M. Ono, S. Kubota, W. Sonoyama, Y. Oida, T. Hattori, T. Nishida, T. Furumatsu, T. Ozaki, M. Takigawa, T. Kuboki

Biochimie 95 374 - 381 2013

miRNA-720 Controls Stem Cell Phenotype, Proliferation and Differentiation of Human Dental Pulp Cells Reviewed

Hara, Emilio Satoshi, Ono, Mitsuaki, Eguchi, Takanori, Kubota, Satoshi, Hai Thanh Pham, Sonoyama, Wataru, Tajima, Shoji, Takigawa, Masaharu, Calderwood, Stuart K., Kuboki, Takuo

Plos One 8 ( 12 ) e83545 2013

Novel chondrogenic and chondroprotective effects of the natural compound harmine Reviewed

Hara, Emilio Satoshi, Ono, Mitsuaki, Kubota, Satoshi, Sonoyama, Wataru, Oida, Yasutaka, Hattori, Takako, Nishida, Takashi, Furumatsu, Takayuki, Ozaki, Toshifumi, Takigawa, Masaharu, Kuboki, Takuo

Biochimie 95 ( 2 ) 374 - 381 2013

CCN2/CTGF binds to fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 and modulates its signaling Reviewed

Eriko Aoyama, Satoshi Kubota, Masaharu Takigawa

FEBS LETTERS 586 ( 24 ) 4270 - 4275 2012.12

Language：English Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal) Publisher：ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV

CCN2 plays a critical role in the development of mesenchymal tissues such as cartilage and bone, and the binding of CCN2 to various cytokines and receptors regulates their signaling. By screening a protein array, we found that CCN2 could bind to fibroblast growth factor receptors (FGFRs) 2 and 3, with a higher affinity toward FGFR2. We ascertained that FGFR2 bound to CCN2 and that the binding of FGFR2 to FGF2 and FGF4 was enhanced by CCN2. CCN2 and FGF2 had a collaborative effect on the phosphorylation of ERK and the differentiation of osteoblastic cells. The present results indicate the biological significance of the binding of CCN2 to FGFR2 in bone metabolism.
Structured summary of protein interactions:
FGFR2 binds to CCN2 by protein array (View interaction)
FGFR1OP binds to CCN2 by protein array (View interaction)
FGFR3 binds to CCN2 by protein array (View interaction) (C) 2012 Federation of European Biochemical Societies. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

DOI： 10.1016/j.febslet.2012.10.038

Mechanical stretch increases Smad3-dependent CCN2 expression in inner meniscus cells Reviewed

Takayuki Furumatsu, Tomoko Kanazawa, Yoshiaki Miyake, Satoshi Kubota, Masaharu Takigawa, Toshifumi Ozaki

JOURNAL OF ORTHOPAEDIC RESEARCH 30 ( 11 ) 1738 - 1745 2012.11

Language：English Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal) Publisher：WILEY-BLACKWELL

The intrinsic zone-specific properties of the menisci are determined by biomechanical environments. In this study, we examined mechanical stretch-dependent expression of multifunctional growth factor CYR61/CTGF/NOV (CCN) 2, and investigated the role of CCN2 in meniscus cells. Uni-axial cyclic tensile strain (CTS) was applied using a STB-140 system. CTS-induced expression of CCN2 and a1(I) collagen (COL1A1) was assessed by quantitative real-time PCR analysis. The distribution of CCN2 and Smad2/3 in stretched cells was investigated by immunohistochemical analysis. Smad2/3-dependent CCN2 transactivation was measured by luciferase reporter assay. The relationship between Smad2/3 and CTS-induced CCN2 transcription was investigated by chromatin immunoprecipitation. CTS stimulated gene expression of CCN2 and COL1A1 in inner meniscus cells, but not in outer meniscus cells. Recombinant CCN2 increased COL1A1 expression only in inner meniscus cells. CCN2 synthesis and nuclear translocalization of phosphorylated Smad2/3 in inner meniscus cells were stimulated by CTS. The CCN2 promoter activity was synergistically enhanced by overexpressed Smad3 in stretched inner meniscus cells, but was not by Smad2. Chromatin immunoprecipitation revealed that CTS increased the association between Smad3 and the Smad-binding element on the CCN2 proximal promoter in inner meniscus cells. Our results suggest that stretch-induced CCN2 may have a crucial role in regulating COL1A1 expression in the inner meniscus. (c) 2012 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 30:17381745, 2012

DOI： 10.1002/jor.22142

Roles of heterotypic CCN2/CTGF-CCN3/NOV and homotypic CCN2-CCN2 interactions in expression of the differentiated phenotype of chondrocytes Reviewed

Mitsuhiro Hoshijima, Takako Hattori, Eriko Aoyama, Takashi Nishida, Takashi Yamashiro, Masaharu Takigawa

FEBS JOURNAL 279 ( 19 ) 3584 - 3597 2012.10

Language：English Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal) Publisher：WILEY-BLACKWELL

To identify proteins that regulate CCN2 activity, we carried out GAL4-based yeast two-hybrid screening with a cDNA library derived from a chondrocytic cell line, HCS-2/8. CCN2/CTGF and CCN3/NOV polypeptides were picked up as CCN2-binding proteins, and CCN2CCN2 and CCN2CCN3 binding domains were identified. Direct binding between CCN2 and CCN3 was confirmed by coimmunoprecipitation in vitro and in vivo and surface plasmon resonance, and the calculated dissociation constants (Kd) were 1.17 x 10-9 m for CCN2 and CCN2, and 1.95 x 10-9 m for CCN2 and CCN3. Ectopically overexpressed green fluorescent proteinCCN2 and HaloCCN3 in COS7 cells colocalized, as determined by direct fluorescence analysis. We present evidence that CCN2CCN3 interactions modulated CCN2 activity such as enhancement of ACAN and col2a1 expression. Curiously, CCN2 enhanced, whereas CCN3 inhibited, the expression of aggrecan and col2a1 mRNA in HCS-2/8 cells, and combined treatment with CCN2 and CCN3 abolished the inhibitory effect of CCN3. These effects were neutralized with an antibody against the von Willebrand factor type C domain of CCN2 (11H3). This antibody diminished the binding between CCN2 and CCN2, but enhanced that between CCN3 and CCN2. Our results suggest that CCN2 could form homotypic and heterotypic dimers with CCN2 and CCN3, respectively. Strengthening the binding between CCN2 and CCN3 with the 11H3 antibody had an enhancing effect on aggrecan expression in chondrocytes, suggesting that CCN2 had an antagonizing effect by binding to CCN3.

DOI： 10.1111/j.1742-4658.2012.08717.x

Role of LRP1 in transport of CCN2 protein in chondrocytes. Reviewed International journal

Kawata K, Kubota S, Eguchi T, Aoyama E, Moritani NH, Kondo S, Nishida T, Takigawa M

Journal of cell science 125 ( Pt 12 ) 2965 - 2972 2012.6

Language：English Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)

Low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 (LRP1) is known to be a receptor for signal transmission and endocytosis. We have previously reported that LRP1 regulates WNT-β-catenin and protein kinase C signaling in chondrocytes, represses the hypertrophy of chondrocytes during endochondral ossification and that LRP1 is colocalized with a ligand, CCN family member 2 (CCN2; also known as connective tissue growth factor, CTGF), which conducts endochondral ossification, in chondrocytes. However, the role of LRP1 in the endocytic transport of CCN2 in chondrocytes is not yet understood. In the present study, we investigated the interaction between LRP1 and CCN2 during endocytic trafficking. Small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated knockdown of LRP1 in chondrocytic HCS-2/8 cells showed that the amount of exogenous CCN2 binding and/or incorporation was decreased in the LRP1 downregulated cells. Importantly, we observed that CCN2 internalization in chondrocytes was dependent on clathrin, and internalizated CCN2 was colocalized with an early or recycling endosome marker. Transcytosis of CCN2 through HCS-2/8 cells was confirmed by performing experiments with a trans-well apparatus, and the amount of transcytosed CCN2 was decreased by an LRP1 antagonist. These findings rule out possible leakage and confirm the crucial involvement of LRP1 during experimental transcytosis. Moreover, under hypoxic conditions that mimic the cartilaginous microenvironment, the level of LRP1 and the amount of transcytosed CCN2 increased, and these increases were neutralized by treatment with the LRP1 antagonist. The distribution of LRP1 and its antagonist in the growth plate in vivo was consistent with that of CCN2 in this tissue, which is produced by and transported by LRP1 from the chondrocytes in the prehypertrophic layer. These findings suggest that LRP1 mediates the transcytosis of CCN2, which might be a crucial event that determines the distribution of CCN2 in cartilage.

DOI： 10.1242/jcs.101956

A selective estrogen receptor modulator inhibits tumor necrosis factor-alpha-induced apoptosis through the ERK1/2 signaling pathway in human chondrocytes Reviewed

Yosuke Hattori, Toshihisa Kojima, Daizo Kato, Hiroyuki Matsubara, Masaharu Takigawa, Naoki Ishiguro

BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS 421 ( 3 ) 418 - 424 2012.5

Language：English Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal) Publisher：ACADEMIC PRESS INC ELSEVIER SCIENCE

Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) is a pleiotropic cytokine mediating inflammatory as well as cell death activities, and is thought to induce chondrocytic chondrolysis in inflammatory and degenerative joint diseases. Selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs), such as raloxifene, which are commonly used in clinical settings act as estrogen agonists or antagonists. It is assumed that estrogens have a potential role in cartilage protection; however, the precise molecular mechanism for the protective effects of estrogens is unclear. This study was designed to examine whether raloxifene inhibits TNF-alpha-induced apoptosis in human chondrocytes and to clarify the mechanisms involved. We also investigated the signaling pathways responsible for the anti-apoptotic effect of raloxifene. Apoptosis in chondrocytes was determined by DNA fragmentation assay and caspase-3 activation. Raloxifene significantly inhibited TNF-alpha-induced caspase-3 activation and cell DNA fragmentation levels in chondrocytes. The inhibitory effect of raloxifene was abolished by the estrogen receptor antagonist ICI 182,780. Extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) regulates apoptosis, acting as an apoptotic or anti-apoptotic signal. TNF-alpha-induced apoptosis was significantly enhanced by the ERK1/2 pathway inhibitor PD98059. Raloxifene stimulated a further increase in ERK1/2 phosphorylation in TNF-alpha-treated chondrocytes. Furthermore, the anti-apoptotic effects of raloxifene were inhibited by PD98059. In addition, the anti-apoptotic effects of raloxifene were completely abolished in ERK1/2 siRNA-treated chondrocytes. These results suggest that raloxifene prevents caspase-3-dependent apoptosis induced by TNF-alpha in human chondrocytes by activating estrogen receptors and the ERK1/2 signaling pathway. (C) 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

DOI： 10.1016/j.bbrc.2012.03.111

Promotion of Ccn2 expression and osteoblastic differentiation by actin polymerization, which is induced by laminar fluid flow stress Reviewed

Role of low-density lipoprotein receptor related protein 1 (LRP1) in CCN2/connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) protein transport in chondrocytes

Kawata., K, Kubota, S, Eguchi, T, Aoyama, E, Moritani, N, Kondo, S, Nishida, T, Takigawa, M

J Cell Sci 15 2965 - 2972 2012

Honjo T, Kubota S, Kamioka H, Sugawara Y, Ishihara Y, Yamashiro T, Takigawa M, Takano-Yamamoto T

J Cell Commun Signal 6 ( 4 ) 225 - 232 2012

Induction of CCN2/CTGF by laminar fluid flow stress, which is mediated by the actin cytoskeleton in osteoblastic cells Reviewed

Honjo, T, S. Kubota, H. Kamioka, Y. Sugawara, Y. Ishihara, T. Yamashiro, M. Takigawa, T. Takano-Yamamoto

J Cell Commun Signal. 6 225 - 232 2012

Association of the metastatic phenotype with CCN family members among breast and oral cancer cells Reviewed

Toshihiro Ohgawara, Satoshi Kubota, Harumi Kawaki, Naito Kurio, Tarek Abd El Kader, Mitsuhiro Hoshijima, Danilo Janune, Tsuyoshi Shimo, Bernard Perbal, Akira Sasaki, Masaharu Takigawa

JOURNAL OF CELL COMMUNICATION AND SIGNALING 5 ( 4 ) 291 - 299 2011.12

Language：English Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal) Publisher：SPRINGER

The CCN family of proteins consists of six members with conserved structural features. These proteins play several roles in the physiology and pathology of cells. Among the pathological roles of the CCN family, one of the most important and controversial ones is their role in the expansion and metastasis of cancer. Up to now a number of reports have described the possible role of each CCN family member independently. In this study, we comprehensively analyzed the roles of all six CCN family members in cell growth, migration and invasion of breast cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. As a result, we found the CCN2/CCN3 ratio to be a parameter that is associated with the metastatic phenotype of breast cancer cells that are highly metastatic to the bone. The same analysis with cell lines from oral squamous carcinomas that are not metastatic to the bone further supported our notion. These results suggest the functional significance of the interplay between CCN family members in regulating the phenotype of cancer cells.

DOI： 10.1007/s12079-011-0133-3