Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) is involved in human cancer development 
and progression. Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays an important 
role in many biological processes. In this study, we wished to investigate the 
role of CTGF in EMT of peritoneal mesothelial cells and the effects of CTGF on 
adhesion of gastric cancer cells to mesothelial cells. Human peritoneal 
mesothelial cells (HPMCs) were cultured with TGF-β1 or various concentrations of 
CTGF for different time. The EMT process was monitored by morphology. Real-time 
RT-PCR and Western blot were used to evaluate the expression of vimentin, α-SMA 
, E-cadherin and β-catenin. RNA interference was used to achieve selective and 
specific knockdown of CTGF. We demonstrated that CTGF induced EMT of mesothelial 
cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. HPMCs were exposed to TGF-β1 also 
underwent EMT which was associated with the induction of CTGF expression. 
Transfection with CTGF siRNA was able to reverse the EMT partially after 
treatment of TGF-β1. Moreover, the induced EMT of HPMCs was associated with an 
increased adhesion of gastric cancer cells to mesothelial cells. These findings 
suggest that CTGF is not only an important mediator but a potent activator of 
EMT in peritoneal mesothelial cells, which in turn promotes gastric cancer cell 
adhesion to peritoneum.