CCN5 expression in mammals

Abstract

The six proteins of the CCN family have important roles in development, angiogenesis, cell motility, proliferation, and other fundamental cell processes. To date, CCN5 distribution in developing rodents and humans has not been mapped comprehensively. CCN5 strongly inhibits adult smooth muscle cell proliferation and motility. Its antiproliferative action predicts that CCN5 would not be present in developing tissues until the proliferation phase of tissue morphogenesis is complete. However, estrogen induces CCN5 expression in epithelial and smooth muscle cells, suggesting that CCN5 might be widely expressed in embryonic tissues exposed to high levels of estrogen.9-16 day murine embryos and fetuses and 3-7 month human fetal tissues were analyzed by immunohistochemistry. CCN5 was detected in nearly all developing tissues. CCN5 protein expression was initially present in most tissues, and at later times in development tissue-specific expression differences were observed. CCN5 expression was particularly strong in vascular tissues, cardiac muscle, bronchioles, myotendinous junctions, and intestinal smooth muscle and epithelium. CCN5 expression was initially absent in bone cartilaginous forms but was increasingly expressed during bone endochondral ossification. Widespread CCN5 mRNA expression was detected in GD14.5 mice. Although CCN2 and CCN5 protein expression patterns in some adult pathologic conditions are inversely expressed, this expression pattern was not found in developing mouse and human tissues. The widespread expression pattern of CCN5 in most embryonic and fetal tissues suggests a diverse range of functions for CCN5.

Eyeing the Cyr61/CTGF/NOV (CCN) group of genes in development and diseases: highlights of their structural likenesses and functional dissimilarities

“…It is believed that the antiproliferative activities of CCN5 counterbalance the mitogenic activities of the other CCN family members [ 114 ]. Not surprisingly, CCN5-null mice and transgenic mice overexpressing CCN5 die at or before gastrulation due to improper implantation [ 115 ]. CCN5 is closely associated with the cell surface, although its presence is also detected in the nucleus in the cells of multiple adult organs including the kidney, ovary, brain, heart, and lung [ 116 ].…”

Matricellular proteins of the Cyr61/CTGF/NOV (CCN) family and the nervous system

“…Moreover, Ohkawa et al ( 2011 ) detected some CCN5 mRNA in the cerebellum and spinal cord of 15 week old mice. In contrast, CCN5 immunostaining was reported in fetal mouse brain (E12–16) but not human brain (4 months; Jones et al, 2007 ). Cytoplasmic and nuclear CCN5 immunostaining was also reported in cortical neurons in the adult rat (Gray et al, 2007 ).…”

CCN proteins as potential actionable targets in scleroderma

“…Contrary to CCN2, CCN5 has been found to be downregulated after TGF‐β exposure in human skin fibroblasts . Moreover, CCN2 and CCN5 present an opposite expression pattern in vascular smooth muscle cells (although they have not been studied together) . However, no study has been conducted to characterize the expression of CCN5 in SSc.…”

“…[44] Moreover, CCN2 and CCN5 present an opposite expression pattern in vascular smooth muscle cells (although they have not been studied together). [45] However, no study has been conducted to characterize the expression of CCN5 in SSc.…”