Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), also known as hypertrophic chondrocyte-specific gene product 24 or Hcs24, is a member of the CCN family of immediate early proteins, which are involved in cell proliferation, migration and matrix production. CTGF expression is induced by BMP-2, TGF-beta1, glucocorticoids, retinoids, taurine, endothelin, cortisol in different cell types, however, TGF-beta1 has been suggested to be the most potent CTGF inducer regardless of cell type. Certain polymorphisms in this gene have been linked with a higher incidence of systemic sclerosis.
