Structural and functional aspects of platelet-derived growth factor

Abstract

Summary The finding that PDGF production is common in normal as well as transformed cells indicate that PDGF has a function in autocrine and paracrine stimulation of cells in several physiological and pathological conditions. The expression of mRNA for the two chains of PDGF are independently regulated. The fact that the different dimeric forms of PDGF have different functional effects, indicate that the cellular response to PDGF may be more complex than previously thought, and may involve binding to more than one receptor. The cellular effects ascribed to PDGF, growth stimulation, ruffling and chemotaxis, seems to be mainly associated with B chain containing dimers. The function of PDGF-AA remains to be elucidated.

Expression of fibrogenic cytokines in desmoplastic malignant melanoma

“…Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) is a disulphidelinked dimer consisting of two related polypeptide chains (designated A and B) encoded by separate genes, and biologically active PDGF occurs either as a homodimer (AA and BB) or as a heterodimer (AB). 5,6 Two kinds of PDGF receptors (PDGF-␣ receptor and PDGF-␤ receptor) are presently known. PDGF-␤ receptor shows a high affinity to only PDGF-BB and PDGF-AB, while PDGF-␣ receptor shows a high affinity to PDGF-AA, PDGF-BB and PDGF-AB.…”

“…[9][10][11] PDGF acts as a potent mitogen in various kinds of cells and acts as a growth factor in fibroblasts in wound healing. 6 Thus, PDGF is thought to contribute to the fibrosis of the dermis. Additionally, the angiogenic potency of PDGF has been suggested to proliferate capillaries in damaged tissues while a wound is healing.…”

“…Additionally, the angiogenic potency of PDGF has been suggested to proliferate capillaries in damaged tissues while a wound is healing. 6 The proliferation of capillaries around malignant melanoma may therefore be induced by the presence of PDGF.…”

Obliterative bronchiolitis after lung transplantation: a fibroproliferative disorder associated with platelet-derived growth factor.

“…Among these are studies examining atherosclerosis and pulmonary fibrosis, which indicate that the potent modulator of mesenchymal cell function, platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), is closely associated with the presence of established disease (2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14). However, the disorders studied to date have protracted kinetics, which span years to decades.…”

Mesenchymal Cell Growth Factors

“…This control can exist at several levels including transcription, translation, and posttranslational modification/activation. 4.…”