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Published on: October 4, 2024
In Vivo Evaluation of Cartilage Regenerative Effects of CCN2 Protein
Takashi Nishida1, Satoshi Kubota2,3, Masaharu Takigawa4
1Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Dentistry, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2-5-1, Shikata-cho, Kita-ku, Okayama, 700-8525, Japan. tnishida@md.okayama-u.ac.jp.
Abstract:
CCN family protein 2/connective tissue growth factor (CCN2/CTGF) is a unique growth factor that promotes the proliferation and differentiation, but not the hypertrophy of articular chondrocytes in vitro. Based on these findings, we previously evaluated the cartilage-regenerative effects of recombinant CCN2 protein (rCCN2) by using both mono-iodoacetate (MIA) injection into the rat joint cavity and formation of full-thickness defects of rat articular cartilage in vivo, and our results suggested the utility of CCN2 in the regeneration of articular cartilage. This chapter entails helpful tips to apply these two animal models for the evaluation of cartilage-regenerative effects of CCN2 or its derivatives.

