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Updated: Jul 15, 2026
11:31
Isolation of Normal and Cancer-associated Fibroblasts from Fresh Tissues by Fluorescence Activated Cell Sorting (FACS)
Published on: January 14, 2013
Connective tissue growth factor expression in pediatric myofibroblastic tumors
A B Kasaragod1, M S Lucia, G Cabirac
1Division of Pediatric Critical Care and Developmental Lung Biology Laboratory, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver 80262, USA.
Summary
Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) is elevated in pediatric tumors with fibrous and vascular elements. CTGF is expressed by tumor and endothelial cells, suggesting a role in myofibroblastic tumor development.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) is a secreted peptide involved in cell growth and fibrosis.
- CTGF expression is upregulated in various fibrotic conditions.
- Tumors with significant fibrous and vascular components are hypothesized to show increased CTGF expression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression of CTGF mRNA in pediatric tumors and tumor-like conditions.
- To determine if CTGF expression correlates with the fibrous and vascular components of these tumors.
Main Methods:
- In situ hybridization was used to detect CTGF mRNA expression.
- The study analyzed 12 pediatric tumors, including angiofibroma, malignant fibrous histiocytoma, infantile myofibromatosis, and malignant hemangiopericytoma.
- Immunohistochemistry (Factor VIII, vimentin) was used to identify cell types expressing CTGF.
Main Results:
- All analyzed tumors exhibited moderate to intense CTGF expression in tumor cells and/or associated endothelial cells.
- Angiofibromas showed CTGF expression in endothelial cells and vascular smooth muscle cells.
- Infantile myofibromatosis, malignant hemangiopericytomas, and fibrous histiocytomas expressed CTGF in both endothelial and vimentin-positive tumor cells, particularly perivascularly.
Conclusions:
- CTGF is expressed in a variety of pediatric tumors with myofibroblastic features.
- The perivascular expression of CTGF in tumor cells and endothelial cells suggests its potential involvement in the pathogenesis of these tumors.
- CTGF may play a role in the development and progression of myofibroblastic tumors.
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