Major connective tissue mitoattractant secreted by vascular endothelial cells. Promotes proliferation and differentiation of chondrocytes. Mediates heparin- and divalent cation-dependent cell adhesion in many cell types including fibroblasts, myofibroblasts, endothelial and epithelial cells. Enhances fibroblast growth factor-induced DNA synthesis. Monomer (PubMed:1654338). Interacts with TSKU (PubMed:30232710). Expressed in bone marrow and thymic cells. Also expressed one of two Wilms tumors tested. Belongs to the CCN family.