Elsevier, Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2(130), p. 338-341, 2010
DOI: 10.1038/jid.2009.331
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The roles of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta), both well-known collagen production stimulators, were examined in skin aging. Aged skin and fibroblasts exhibited a coordinate decrease in CTGF, TGF-beta, and type I procollagen expression and content. CTGF knockdown and TGF-beta blockade in normal dermal fibroblasts reduced procollagen expression, whereas overexpressing CTGF increased procollagen by a TGF-beta/Smad signaling-dependent mechanism without involving Smad2/3.