CTGF: A potential therapeutic target for Bronchopulmonary dysplasia

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a chronic lung disease that often occurs in preterm infants. However, there is still no effective treatment for BPD. Recent studies demonstrated that connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) is involved in the development of BPD in experimental models. CTGF, also known as CCN2, is the second member of the CCN family and is necessary for normal lung development. The expression of CTGF is increased in lung tissues in infants with BPD. Hyperoxia, inflammation and mechanic ventilation increase CTGF expression which may promote fibroblast proliferation, matrix production and vascular remodeling. Conditional overexpression of CTGF in alveolar epithelial type II cells disrupts alveolarization and vascular development, induces vascular remodeling, and results in pulmonary hypertension, the pathological hallmarks of severe BPD. Further studies have shown that inhibition of CTGF by a CTGF monoclonal antibody improved alveolarization and vascular development, and decreased pulmonary vascular remodeling and pulmonary hypertension in a rodent model of BPD induced by hyperoxia. CTGF may be a novel target for BPD therapy in preterm infants.