Schematic presentation of the signaling pathways involved in CTGF-induced IL-6 expression of synovial fibroblasts.

<p>CTGF and αvβ5 integrin interaction activates ASK1, and p38/JNK pathways, which enhances binding of p65 to the NF-κB site and c-Jun to the AP-1 site, resulting in the transactivation of IL-6 expression.