Mechanical Stress-induced Connective Tissue Growth Factor Plays a Critical Role in Intestinal Fibrosis in Crohn's-like Colitis

We found that CTGF expression increased significantly not only in the inflammation site but in the distended segment proximal to inflammation in a rodent model of CD-like colitis. Release of mechanical distention prevented CTGF expression in CD rats, whereas direct stretch induced CTGF expression. Treatment with anti-CTGF antibody reduced fibrosis and collagen contents in CD rats. Thus, mechanical stress, via upregulating profibrotic mediators, i.e., CTGF, may play a critical role in fibrosis in CD.