Susceptibility to liver fibrosis in mice expressing a connective tissue growth factor transgene in hepatocytes # †

Abstract

Production of elevated CCN2 levels in hepatocytes of transgenic mice in vivo does not cause hepatic injury or fibrosis per se but renders the livers more susceptible to the injurious actions of other fibrotic stimuli. These studies support a central role of CCN2 in hepatic fibrosis and demonstrate a role of the microenvironment in regulating the profibrotic action of CCN2.