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Updated: Jul 8, 2026

A Mouse Model to Investigate the Role of Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts in Tumor Growth
Published on: December 22, 2020
Expression of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF/CCN2) in a mouse model of rhabdomyosarcomagenesis
Stefania Croci1, Lorena Landuzzi, Giordano Nicoletti
1Department of Experimental Pathology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
Abstract:
Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF/CCN2) is a cysteine-rich matricellular protein that belongs to the CCN (CYR61, CTGF, NOV) protein family. It is highly expressed by human rhabdomyosarcoma cells and sustains their survival. In this study we investigated CCN2 expression in a mouse model of spontaneous rhabdomyosarcomagenesis that combines HER-2/neu oncogene activation and p53 oncosuppressor gene inactivation (BALB-p53neu mice). Murine rhabdomyosarcoma cells showed a 4-26 fold increase in CCN2 mRNA expression regarding to normal thigh muscle. Moreover, they expressed CCN2 protein at levels comparable to human rhabdomyosarcoma cells. Therefore BALBp53neu mice might be useful for the evaluation of the role played by CCN2 in rhabdomyosarcoma in vivo.
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