Article

Expression of Connective Tissue Growth Factor (CTGF/CCN2) in a Mouse Model of Rhabdomyosarcomagenesis

Stefania CROCI¹, Lorena LANDUZZI², Giordano NICOLETTI², Arianna PALLADINI¹, Agnese ANTOGNOLI¹, Carla DE GIOVANNI¹, Patrizia NANNI¹, Pier-Luigi LOLLINI¹
¹Cancer Research Section, Department of Experimental Pathology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
²Laboratorio di Ricerca Oncologica, Istituti Ortopedici Rizzoli, Bologna, Italy

Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF/CCN2) is a cysteine-rich matricellular protein that belongs to the CCN (CYR61, CTGF, NOV) protein family. It is highly expressed by human rhabdomyosarcoma cells and sustains their survival. In this study we investigated CCN2 expression in a mouse model of spontaneous rhabdomyosarcomagenesis that combines HER-2/neu oncogene activation and p53 oncosuppressor gene inactivation (BALB-p53neu mice). Murine rhabdomyosarcoma cells showed a 4-26 fold increase in CCN2 mRNA expression regarding to normal thigh muscle. Moreover, they expressed CCN2 protein at levels comparable to human rhabdomyosarcoma cells. Therefore BALBp53neu mice might be useful for the evaluation of the role played by CCN2 in rhabdomyosarcoma in vivo. Pathology & Oncology Research, Vol 13, Nr 4, 336-339, 2007

Key words: rhabdomyosarcoma; mouse model; CCN proteins; CCN2/CTGF

Received: Dec 4, 2006; accepted: Nov 10, 2007
Correspondence: Pier-Luigi LOLLINI, Cancer Research Section, Department of Experimental Pathology, University of Bologna, Viale Filopanti 22 Bologna I-40126, Italy; Tel: +39-051-2094786, Fax: +39-051-242169; E-mail: pierluigi.lollini@unibo.it

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