Mechanical Stress Is Required for High-Level Expression of Connective Tissue Growth Factor

doi:10.1006/excr.2001.5458

Experimental Cell Research

Volume 274, Issue 1, 10 March 2002, Pages 83-91

https://doi.org/10.1006/excr.2001.5458 Get rights and content

Abstract

We used gene array technology to analyze differences in gene expression between mechanically stressed and relaxed fibroblasts. A number of stress-responsive genes that showed a two- to sixfold difference in their relative expression were identified. Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) was among those genes that showed the most striking up-regulation by mechanical stress. Its regulation occurred at the transcriptional level and was reversible. A new steady state level of CTGF mRNA was reached within less than 6 h after stress relaxation. Mechanical stress was absolutely required for sustained high-level expression; TGF-β, which is also known to stimulate CTGF synthesis, was not sufficient on its own. Experiments with specific inhibitors suggested that a protein kinase and a tyrosine phosphatase were involved in the transduction of the mechanical stimulus to gene expression. Since CTGF controls the synthesis of several extracellular matrix proteins, it is likely that this growth factor is responsible for the increased synthesis of collagen I and other matrix proteins in stressed fibroblasts.

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^☆: This study was supported by the Swiss National Science Foundation (Grants 31-50571.97 and 31-61296.00).

¹: To whom correspondence and reprint requests should be addressed. Fax: +41 31 632 4963. E-mail: [email protected].

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Regular ArticleMechanical Stress Is Required for High-Level Expression of Connective Tissue Growth Factor☆

Abstract

Int. Rev. Cytol.

Arch. Biochem. Biophys.

Dev. Biol.

Trends Cell Biol.

Exp. Cell Res.

FEBS Lett.

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Anal. Biochem.

J. Biol. Chem.

J. Biol. Chem.

J. Biol. Chem.

J. Invest. Dermatol.

Cytokine Growth Factor Rev.

J. Invest. Dermatol.

Regular Article
Mechanical Stress Is Required for High-Level Expression of Connective Tissue Growth Factor☆