Neovascularization, formation of new blood vessels, can maintain chronic inflammatory status by transporting inflammatory cells to site of synovitis as well as supplying nutrients and oxygen to pannus.36,37 VEGF is a major angiogenic factor in OA joints.38 On the other hand, CTGF is involved in OA pathogenesis;12,14 its effect on VEGF expression and angiogenesis in human synovial fibroblasts is mostly unknown. Here, CCN2 is linked to synovitis.