File:Notochordal interaction with nucleus pulposus.jpg

Schematic depicting notochordal cell interaction with nucleus pulposus cells.

The notochordal cell secretes a pro-form of CCN2 that is likely activated within the cytoplasm to the active form. CCN2 acts in a paracrine fashion upon nucleus pulposus cells.

The possible role of TGF-β within this notochordal cell/nucleus pulposus cell milieu is a question at the present. CCN2 is known to be a downstream effector molecule of TGB-β signaling-however the specific role of TGF-β within this pathway has not yet been tested.

Notochordal cells secrete a unique form of aggrecan themselves (depicted as notochordal cell secreted increased proteoglycan synthesis). Also, soluble factors secreted by notochordal cells activate nucleus pulposus cells to increase their proteoglycan production (indicated as increased proteoglycan synthesis by nucleus pulposus cells in red)

CTGF/CCN-2 (connective tissue growth factor) - broadly accepted that the best designation for this molecule is ‘CCN2’

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<pubmed>19003520</pubmed>

J Cell Commun Signal. 2008 December; 2(3-4): 59–65. Published online 2008 November 12. doi: 10.1007/s12079-008-0031-5.

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