Anti-connective tissue growth factor (CTGF/CCN2) monoclonal antibody attenuates skin fibrosis in mice models of systemic sclerosis

Background Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is characterized by fibrosis of the skin and internal organs. Although the involvement of connective tissue growth factor ( CTGF/CCN2) has been well-documented in SSc fibrosis, the therapeutic potential of targeting CTGFin SSc has not been fully investigated. Our aim was to examine the therapeutic potential of CTGFblockade in a preclinical model of SSc using two approaches: smooth muscle cell fibroblast-specific deletion of CTGF( CTGFknockout (KO)) or a human anti- CTGFmonoclonal antibody, FG-3019.