CCN2 and inflammatory response: Key inflammatory and profibrotic mediators include transforming growth factor (TGF)-β, platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), interleukins (IL-6, IL-4, IL-1α), and chemokine CXCL4, all of which contribute to chronic inflammation, fibrosis, and vascular dysfunction [8].