Possible Involvement of Connective Tissue Growth Factor (CTGF) in Orbito–Facial Pathology

Abstract

Abstract: : Purpose: To investigate the possible presence of connective tissue gorwth factor (CTGF) in fibrous dysplasia (FD), a slowly progressing fibrotic bone disease that may be either monostotic or polyostotic that although rare, may in cranio–maxillo–facial localization, result in opthalmological sequelae due to the proximity of the orbit and the optic canal Methods: Immunohistochemistry of surgical specimens obtained from four patients with sepcific antibodies against CTGF. Results: Only one out of four cases showed specific staining for CTGF. The staining appeared mainly in proximity to fibroblasts and in areas with considerable accumulation of fibrosis In this case fibrous dysplasy was still active. In all sections of the other three samples no specific staining was detectable Conclusions: Connective tissue growth factor may be expressed in pathologically active fibrous dysplasia and hence is suggested to be involved in its pathophysiology. Spatio temporal variation of its expression seems to vary and accordingly the significance of CTGF effects in the pathophysiology of the disease. However, if CTGF is indeed a true indicator of pathologically active FD specific inhibition and treatment might become possible.

Keywords: pathology: human • tumors • growth factors/growth factor receptors