A Novel Role of Connective Tissue Growth Factor in the Regulation of the Epithelial Phenotype.

We identified CTGF is an important regulator of the epithelial phenotype, and its loss is associated with the early cellular modifications required for EMT. We describe a novel role for CTGF, regulating cytoskeleton and the extracellular matrix interactions necessary for the conservation of epithelial structure and function. These findings provide a new window into understanding the early stages of mesenchymal transformation.