Connective Tissue Specific Neutra™ Antibody Products

Are you grappling with inconsistent results in fibrosis models or struggling to identify reliable biomarkers for connective tissue disorders? Creative Biolabs' connective tissue specific Neutra™ antibody products leverage advanced recombinant engineering and epitope-specific validation to deliver high-affinity tools that streamline drug discovery and enhance diagnostic accuracy.

Introduction to CTGF

Connective Tissue Growth Factor (CTGF), a cysteine-rich matricellular protein, is a central mediator in extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling and cellular fibrosis. First identified as a downstream effector of TGF-β signaling, CTGF plays a non-redundant role in modulating fibroblast proliferation, angiogenesis, and tissue repair. Its dysregulation is a hallmark of pathological fibrosis, cancer metastasis, and chronic inflammatory conditions.

Fig.1 The interaction between the CTGF domains and different molecules, involving various diseases and physiological processes.¹

• Basic Information

CTGF, encoded by the CCN2 gene, belongs to the CCN family of proteins (Cyr61, CTGF, Nov). It is secreted by fibroblasts, endothelial cells, and activated myofibroblasts in response to mechanical stress, hypoxia, or cytokines like TGF-β. CTGF functions through autocrine and paracrine mechanisms, binding integrins and heparan sulfate proteoglycans to orchestrate ECM deposition and cellular adhesion.

• Structure

CTGF comprises four conserved modular domains: an insulin-like growth factor-binding domain (IGFBP), a von Willebrand factor type C repeat (VWC), a thrombospondin type 1 repeat (TSP1), and a C-terminal cysteine-knot domain. The TSP1 domain mediates interactions with cytokines, while the cysteine-knot enables dimerization and receptor engagement. Structural studies reveal that CTGF's pro-fibrotic activity hinges on conformational flexibility, allowing it to bridge ECM components and cell-surface receptors.

Fig.2 The CTGF protein structure.¹

• Related Signaling Pathways

CTGF intersects with multiple pathological pathways:

- TGF-β/Smad: Amplifies TGF-β-driven fibroblast activation and ECM synthesis.

- Wnt/β-catenin: Synergizes with Wnt ligands to promote fibrogenic gene expression.

- PI3K/Akt/mTOR: Sustains survival signals in fibrotic cells.

- Hedgehog: Facilitates tissue stiffening in hepatic and pulmonary fibrosis.

• Associated Pathologies

CTGF overexpression correlates with systemic sclerosis, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), renal fibrosis, and tumor stroma formation. In cardiovascular contexts, it drives atherosclerosis and cardiac remodeling post-myocardial infarction. Its role in diabetic nephropathy and chronic wound non-healing further underscores its therapeutic relevance.

Applications of CTGF-Neutralizing Antibodies

• Fibrosis Therapeutics

Anti-CTGF antibodies reverse ECM accumulation in organ-specific fibrosis. In IPF, they reduce collagen I/III ratios in alveolar tissues, improving lung compliance. Renal applications show suppressed TGF-β/CTGF cross-talk, slowing glomerulosclerosis progression.

• Oncology

CTGF-neutralizing agents diminish stromal stiffness in pancreatic and breast cancers, enhancing chemotherapeutic penetration. They inhibit cancer-associated fibroblast (CAF) activation, lowering metastatic potential in orthotopic models.

• Cardiovascular Disease

In atherosclerotic plaques, targeting CTGF decreases smooth muscle cell proliferation and plaque instability. Post-infarction studies highlight reduced ventricular wall thickness and improved ejection fraction.

• Chronic Wound Management

By tempering excessive CTGF-driven ECM deposition, these antibodies accelerate re-epithelialization in diabetic ulcers, restoring balanced tissue repair.

Anti-CTGF Antibodies

The anti-CTGF neutralizing antibodies disrupt the pathological interactions without interfering with basal tissue repair. Creative Biolabs' anti-CTGF antibodies exhibit nanomolar affinity for the TSP1 and cysteine-knot domains, blocking receptor binding (e.g., LRP1, integrin αvβ3) and downstream signaling. Validated in ELISA, immunohistochemistry (IHC), and functional assays, these antibodies enable precise quantification of CTGF in serum or tissue lysates and inhibit collagen deposition in 3D fibroblast cultures. Preclinical models demonstrate their efficacy in attenuating dermal fibrosis by 60% and reducing tumor desmoplasia.

Creative Biolabs' connective tissue specific Neutra™ antibody products offer rigorously validated tools to decode CTGF biology and accelerate therapeutic innovation. With unmatched specificity for pro-fibrotic epitopes, our antibodies empower researchers to overcome reproducibility challenges and deliver translatable insights.

Contact our team today to explore custom solutions for your fibrosis or oncology projects.

REFERENCE

1. Ren, Meishen, et al. "Connective tissue growth factor: regulation, diseases, and drug discovery." International Journal of Molecular Sciences 25.9 (2024): 4692. Distributed under Open Access license CC BY 4.0, without modification. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25094692