Increased CTGF expression occurs in human and mouse hepatocytes of damaged livers and is mediated by TGF-β signaling

Connective Tissue Growth Factor (CTGF) is an important mediator of profibrogenic TGF-β actions in liver. Hepatic stellate cells and bile duct epithelial cells were recognized as its cellular source in liver. Here, we demonstrate CTGF expression in hepatocytes in vitro and in vivo and identify TGF-β as inducer of CTGF. Primary cultured hepatocytes were stimulated with TGF-β. Real-Time PCR and Western blot analyses were used to detect CTGF mRNA and protein expression in hepatocytes. By immunohistochemistry CTGF expression was analyzed in liver tissue from a) patients with chronic hepatitis B infection before and a…