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Updated: May 1, 2026
Proliferation and Differentiation of Murine Myeloid Precursor 32D/G-CSF-R Cells
Published on: February 21, 2018
Connective tissue growth factor is expressed in bone marrow stromal cells and promotes interleukin-7-dependent B
Laurence C Cheung1, Deborah H Strickland1, Meegan Howlett1
1Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia.
Insights
Connective tissue growth factor (Ctgf) is crucial for bone marrow stromal cells and hematopoiesis. Its absence impairs B-cell development, highlighting Ccn2
Area of Science:
- * Hematopoiesis and bone marrow microenvironment research.
- * Cellular and molecular biology.
- * Immunology and developmental biology.
Background:
- * Bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) are vital for hematopoiesis, supporting blood cell development via cell contact and secreted factors.
- * Connective tissue growth factor (Ctgf, also known as Ccn2) is highly expressed in BMSCs but its role in hematopoiesis was previously undescribed.
- * Ctgf is known for roles in skeletogenesis and BMSC regulation, but its direct impact on blood cell formation remained unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- * To investigate the role of connective tissue growth factor (Ctgf) in hematopoiesis within the bone marrow microenvironment.
- * To determine the specific effects of Ctgf absence on B-cell development and proliferation.
- * To elucidate the functional significance of Ctgf in bone marrow stromal cells concerning hematopoietic processes.
Main Methods:
- * Utilized a chimeric fetal liver transplantation model in mice to assess hematopoiesis in the absence of Ctgf.
- * Employed in vitro culture systems to study the effects of Ctgf on B-cell proliferation and differentiation.
- * Analyzed B-cell development stages, specifically from pro-B to more mature stages, in relation to Ctgf expression and function.
Main Results:
- * Mice lacking connective tissue growth factor (Ctgf) exhibited impaired overall hematopoiesis.
- * Absence of Ctgf significantly impacted B-cell development, particularly the transition from pro-B to pre-B stages.
- * In vitro studies demonstrated that Ctgf enhances B-cell proliferation and promotes pro-B to pre-B differentiation in the presence of interleukin-7.
Conclusions:
- * Connective tissue growth factor (Ctgf) plays a critical role in supporting normal hematopoiesis, particularly B-lymphopoiesis.
- * Ctgf is essential for B-cell development within the bone marrow microenvironment, acting via bone marrow stromal cells.
- * This study reveals a dual function for Ctgf in both skeletogenesis and stage-specific B-cell development, enhancing our understanding of its bone marrow functions.
Abstract:
Hematopoiesis occurs in a complex bone marrow microenvironment in which bone marrow stromal cells provide critical support to the process through direct cell contact and indirectly through the secretion of cytokines and growth factors. We report that connective tissue growth factor (Ctgf, also known as Ccn2) is highly expressed in murine bone marrow stromal cells. In contrast, connective tissue growth factor is barely detectable in unfractionated adult bone marrow cells. While connective tissue growth factor has been implicated in hematopoietic malignancies, and is known to play critical roles in skeletogenesis and regulation of bone marrow stromal cells, its role in hematopoiesis has not been described. Here we demonstrate that the absence of connective tissue growth factor in mice results in impaired hematopoiesis. Using a chimeric fetal liver transplantation model, we show that absence of connective tissue growth factor has an impact on B-cell development, in particular from pro-B to more mature stages, which is linked to a requirement for connective tissue growth factor in bone marrow stromal cells. Using in vitro culture systems, we demonstrate that connective tissue growth factor potentiates B-cell proliferation and promotes pro-B to pre-B differentiation in the presence of interleukin-7. This study provides a better understanding of the functions of connective tissue growth factor within the bone marrow, showing the dual regulatory role of the growth factor in skeletogenesis and in stage-specific B lymphopoiesis.
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