Inhibition of rheumatoid arthritis by blocking connective tissue growth factor

Figure 5 Blocking connective tissue growth factor prevented the development of arthritis in collagen-induced arthritis mice. Mice with collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) were randomly selected and were intraperitoneally administered every week with anti-connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) (white triangle; CIA-anti-CTGF Ab+) or control purified immunoglobulin (white square; CIA-anti-CTGF Ab−) from 1 wk before immunization to 6 weeks after immunization. Each group comprised 12 mice. The mice were monitored for arthritis every week and scored in a blinded manner (A). Blocking CTGF could efficiently prevent the development of CIA in mice. Bars in Figure 3 indicate the standard deviation. Statistical analysis (anti-CTGF Ab⁺vs anti-CTGF Ab−) was performed, and P values < 0.05 were considered to be statistically significant. ^aP < 0.05, CIA anti-CTGF Ab vs Control. For evaluation of osteoclastogenesis, CD14⁺ osteoclastic progenitor cells were purified from splenocytes at 8 wk after immunization and osteoclasts were then induced with macrophage-colony stimulating factor (M-CSF) and soluble receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (sRANKL). Osteoclastogenesis was suppressed in mice with CIA treated using anti-CTGF mAb (B) compared to the non-treated mice. The bars in Figure 3 indicate the standard deviation. Statistical analysis was performed, and P values < 0.05 were considered to be statistically significant. ^aP < 0.05, CIA anti-CTGF Ab (-) vs Control; CIA anti-CTGF Ab (-) vs CIA anti-CTGF Ab (+).