CCN3 and viral infectious disease: Nephroblastoma overexpressed (NOV or CCN3), a matricellular protein, is a primary member of the CCN family (Cyr61, Ctgf, NOV) of proteins.12 The CCN3 gene was originally identified as an integration site from avian nephroblastomas induced by viral infections.13 As a secreted protein, CCN3 has both the characteristics of conventional cytokines and extracellular matrix molecules.