Connective tissue growth factor is also referred as CCN2 which is a matricellular protein and belongs to the CCN family of extracellular matrix related heparin binding proteins. Connective tissue growth factor has various essential roles in biological processes. The various processes include adhesion, migration, angiogenesis, proliferation, tissue wound repair and skeletal development. Connective tissue growth factor is also critically involved in several forms of cancers and fibrotic diseases. The connective tissue growth factor which belongs to the CCN protein family, are characterized by its cysteine rich four conserved domains. It is a modular protein and is known to be conserved throughout evolution. Human connective tissue growth factor contains a 349 amino acid polypeptide and was first discovered by Bradham et al. the gene of Human connective tissue growth factor is located on the chromosome 6q23.1. The four conserved structures which covers the entire molecule suggests its multiple functions. The connective tissue growth factor N terminal interacts with aggrecan.

Connective tissue growth factor are associated with all fibrotic pathology and in wound healing. It is also believed that connective tissue growth factor cooperates with TGF-beta in induction of sustained fibrosis and also aggravates extracellular matrix production. Excess expression of connective tissue growth factor in fibroblasts leads to promotion in the kidney, dermis and lungs. Bleomycin-induced skin fibrosis reduction is observed due to deletion of Ctgf in smooth muscle cells and fibroblasts. Along with fibrosis, aberrant connective tissue growth factor expression is also associated with various kinds of malignancies, retinopathy and diabetic nephropathy, cardiovascular diseases and arthritis. Therapeutic value targeting connective tissue growth factor in diabetic nephropathy, pancreatic cancer and fibrosis is now being studied. Human connective tissue growth factor is not detected in normal blood vessels and are overexpressed in atherosclerotic lesions which suggests its important role in atherogenesis.