Abundant Retention and Release of Connective Tissue Growth Factor (CTGF/CCN2) by Platelets

Abstract

Wound healing and tissue regeneration are usually initiated by coagulation followed by fibrous tissue formation. In the present study, we discovered an abundance of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF/CCN2) in human platelets, which was released along with the coagulation process. The CTGF/CCN2 content in platelets was 10-fold higher than that in arterial tissue. Furthermore, the CTGF/CCN2 content in a single platelet was computed to be more than 20-fold higher than that of any other growth factor reported. Considering that CTGF/CCN2 promotes angiogenesis, cartilage regeneration, fibrosis and platelet adhesion, it may be now regarded as one of the major functional components of platelets.

Is there any association between mycosis fungoides and Th-1, Th-2 cytokines and transforming growth factor-beta 1 gene polymorphisms?

“…This increase supports the theory that PRP increases neoangiogenesis 31 . Kubota et al 32 showed that growth factors of connective tissue also increased angiogenetic activity and fibrosis. Similar to the studies in the literature, our study found that after day 4, PRP increased granulation tissue and angiogenesis.…”

Novel angiogenic inhibitor DN-9693 that inhibits post-transcriptional induction of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF/CCN2) by vascular endothelial growth factor in human endothelial cells

“…We reported previously remarkably high levels of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF/CCN2) in human platelets released during the coagulation process (11). CTGF/CCN2 is a cysteine-rich secretory protein of 36 to 38 kDa, which is composed of 349 amino acid residues, and its gene belongs to the CCN family, which consists of cef10/cyr61, ctgf/fisp12, nov, and several recently reported genes, such as elm1/wisp1, ctgf3/ctgfL/wisp2/cop1, and wisp3 (12 -17).…”

Platelet-rich plasma preparation using three devices: Implications for platelet activation and platelet growth factor release

“…Also of importance are transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-b) (Rosier et al1998), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) (Rhee et al 2004), smaller amounts of insulin-like growth factor (IGF) (Weibrich et al 2002a) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) (Martin et al 1992). Additionally, Kubota and others described that connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) is also present (Kubota et al 2004). Recently, strategies in clinical treatment plans encourage the production of autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) containing high concentrations of platelet growth factors with the use of whole blood separation devices.…”