CCN2 deletion promotes changes in the aortic protein
expression pattern
To evaluate changes in aortic protein expression caused by acquired CCN2
deficiency, a panel of 17 proteins related to ECM and/or VSMCs status,
including CCN2, was studied by multiple reaction monitoring mass
spectrometry (MRM-MS) analysis. CCN2 protein was detected in control
aorta, supporting its important role in vascular structure and
functions, as a key ECM component. As observed at the gene expression
level (Suppl Figure 3 ), aortic CCN2 protein level was
significantly reduced in CCN2-KO mice (Suppl Table 1 ),
demonstrating the efficacy of gene targeting. Alpha smooth muscle actin
(ACTA2) expression was significantly decreased (around 20% reduction)
and myosin heavy chain 9 was significantly increased in CCN2-KO mice,
suggesting a CCN2-related regulation of both proteins (Suppl
Table 1) . Interestingly, CCN2 was the most Ang II-upregulated protein
in WT mice in our panel (2.36-fold increase), suggesting an important
role of CCN2 in Ang II-mediated vascular responses and, therefore, in
the aortic protective adaptive response induced after Ang II infusion.