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Therapeutic strategies to target connective tissue growth factor in fibrotic lung diseases

Takuma Isshiki1, Safaa Naiel2, Megan Vierhout2

  • 1Department of Medicine, Firestone Institute for Respiratory Health, McMaster University, 5o Charlton Avenue East, Hamilton, ON, L8N 4A6, Canada; Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster Immunology Research Center, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON, L8S 48L, Canada; Department of Respiratory Medicine, Toho University School of Medicine, 6-11-1 Omori Nisi, Ota-ku, Tokyo 143-8541, Japan.

Pharmacology & Therapeutics
|December 16, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) drives lung fibrosis by promoting fibroblast activation and epithelial changes. Inhibiting CTGF signaling shows promise for treating idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and other fibrotic lung diseases.

Area of Science:

  • Pulmonary Medicine
  • Cell Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Interstitial lung diseases, including idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), lack effective treatments.
  • Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), also known as CCN2, is implicated in fibrotic processes.

Approach:

  • This review systematically analyzes the pathogenic role of CTGF in pulmonary fibrosis.
  • It discusses current therapeutic strategies targeting the CTGF signaling pathway.

Key Points:

  • CTGF promotes lung fibrosis via fibroblast-to-myofibroblast transdifferentiation and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT).
  • CTGF signaling cooperates with other fibrotic mediators like TGF-β.
  • Inhibition of CTGF has demonstrated efficacy in preclinical models of lung fibrosis.

Conclusions:

  • The CTGF signaling pathway represents a promising therapeutic target for IPF and other fibrotic lung conditions.
  • Further research into CTGF-targeted therapies is warranted for effective treatment of pulmonary fibrosis.
Keywords:
CTGFIPFInterstitial pneumoniaPulmonary fibrosisTherapeutics

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