Regulation and role of connective tissue growth factor in AngII-induced myocardial fibrosis

Nicole L. Rosin, Alec Falkenham, Mryanda J. Sopel, Timothy D.G. Lee, Jean Francois Légaré

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49 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Exposure of rodents to angiotensin II (AngII) is a common model of fibrosis. We have previously shown that cellular infiltration of bone marrow-derived progenitor cells (fibrocytes) occurs before deposition of extracellular matrix and is associated with the production of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF). In the present study, we characterized the role of CTGF in promoting fibrocyte accumulation and regulation after AngII exposure. In animals exposed to AngII using osmotic minipumps (2.0 μg/kg per min), myocardial CTGF mRNA peaked at 6 hours (21-fold; P < 0.01), whereas transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) peaked at 3 days (fivefold; P < 0.05) compared with saline control. Early CTGF expression occurred before fibrocyte migration (1 day) into the myocardium or ECM deposition (3 days). CTGF protein expression was evident by day 3 of AngII exposure and seemed to be localized to resident cells. Isolated cardiomyocytes and microvascular endothelial cells responded to AngII with increased CTGF production (2.1-fold and 2.8-fold, respectively; P < 0.05), which was abolished with the addition of anti-TGF-β neutralizing antibody. The effect of CTGF on isolated fibrocytes suggested a role in fibrocyte proliferation (twofold; P < 0.05) and collagen production (2.3-fold; P < 0.05). In summary, we provide strong evidence that AngII exposure first resulted in Smad2-dependent production of CTGF by resident cells (6 hours), well before the accumulation of fibrocytes or TGF-β mRNA up-regulation. In addition, CTGF contributes to fibrocyte proliferation in the myocardium and enhances fibrocyte differentiation into a myofibroblast phenotype responsible for ECM deposition.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)714-726
Number of pages13
JournalAmerican Journal of Pathology
Volume182
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Mar 2013

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
Supported in part by grant 44122 from the Canadian Institute of Health Research (J.F.L.).

ASJC Scopus Subject Areas

  • Pathology and Forensic Medicine

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