CCN Proteins in Health and Disease : An Overview of the Fifth International Workshop on the CCN Family of Genes

The CCN family of genes currently comprises six secreted proteins (designated CCN16 i.e., Cyr61/CCN1; ctgf/CCN2; Nov/CCN3; WISP1/CCN4; WISP2/CCN5, and WISP3/CCN6) showing a strikingly conserved primary structure, with four modules sharing partial identity with IGF binding proteins, Von Willebrand protein, thrombospondin and several matricellular proteins and growth factors. The current view is that CCN proteins modulate signaling pathways that involve regulatory components of the extracellular matrix. As such, they likely act as a central hub in the regulation of mitosis, adhesion, apoptosis, extracellular matrix production, growth arrest and migration of multiple cell types. The 5th international workshop on the CCN family of genes, that was held in Toronto in 2008 brought together scientists from around the world who have an interest in the biological roles of this emerging family of proteins. On an educational point of view, the workshop was a unique place for an efficient diffusion of scientific information. The present book comprises a series of selected manuscripts that are based on the original communications that were presented at the meeting by worldwide leaders in the field of CCN biology. All major aspects of CCN proteins biology in both normal and pathological conditions are covered in this volume, from structure-functions analysis up to the involvement of CCN proteins in complex physiological functions. In addition to reports that support the Yin-Yang concept of CCN proteins driving opposite effects on the same biological process, this book also comprises several contributions that point to CCN proteins as amenable targets for therapeutic manipulation of disease processes. Together with the special issue of Journal of Cell Communication and Signaling in which authors have extended on the original data presented at the meeting, the present Proceedings provide an instant picture and unique update of the state of the art in the CCN field. Front Matter....Pages i-xiii A Recent Breakthrough in the CCN Field: Functional Interactions Between CCN2 and CCN3 are Uncovered....Pages 1-4 Report on the Fifth International Workshop on the CCN Family of Genes....Pages 5-13 Asking the Right Questions: What Can the Structure of the CCN Protein Domains Tell Us?....Pages 15-40 Nucleophosmin/B23: A Multifunctional Regulator that Determines the Fate of CCN2 mRNA....Pages 41-55 The CCN Genes as the “Master” Regulators of Angiogenesis, Vasculogenesis, Fibrogenesis and Cell Differentiation/Fate Specification in Mechanical Force-Driven Developmental Processes and Pathological Events....Pages 57-76 A Monoclonal Antibody Approach to CCN5 Domain Analysis....Pages 77-95 Matricellular Protein CCN2 Produced by Tubular Epithelial Cells Plays a Pivotal Role in Renal Fibrogenesis....Pages 97-103 Cooperative Regulation of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation by CCN2 and CCN3....Pages 105-109 The Role of CCN3 in Mesenchymal Stem Cells....Pages 111-119 Role of Connective Tissue Growth Factor in Cardiac Fibrosis....Pages 121-132 Gene Expression of CCN Family Members in Young and Aged Human Skin In Vivo....Pages 133-140 Global Expression Profiling Reveals a Role for CTGF/CCN2 in Lactogenic Differentiation of Mouse Mammary Epithelial Cells....Pages 141-162 CCN3 (NOV): A Negative Regulator of CCN2 (CTGF) Activity and an Endogenous Inhibitor of Fibrosis in Experimental Diabetic Nephropathy....Pages 163-181 Inhibitors of Connective Tissue Growth Factor (CCN2)-Mediated Fibrogenesis: Underlying Mechanisms and Prospects for Anti-fibrotic Therapy....Pages 183-204 CCN3 Promotes Melanoma Progression by Regulating Integrin Expression, Adhesion and Apoptosis Induced by Cytotoxic Drugs....Pages 205-211 CCN3: A NOVel Growth Factor in Leukaemia....Pages 213-221 Prognostic Relevance of CCN3 in Bone Sarcomas....Pages 223-243 CCN6 Regulates Breast Cancer Growth and Invasion Through Modulation of IGF Signaling and Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition....Pages 245-253 Novel Transcriptional Regulation of CCN2/CTGF by Nuclear Translocation of MMP3....Pages 255-264 Back Matter....Pages 265-338