PDGF is a chemoattractant for fibroblasts, smooth muscle cells, monocytes and neutrophils. Also, it acts on fibroblasts and other cells that initiate healing and tissue restoration.
Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) is expressed as homo and heterodimers: PDGF-AB FDGF-AA, PDGF-BB, PDGF-CC and PDGF-DD. The PDGF gene is highly conserved and is mapped to human chromosome 7p22.3. The active form of PDGF exists as disulfide-linked dimers. It consists of cystine-knot-fold growth factor domain, which is highly conserved, except for the N-terminal prodomain, which shows variation in length among the isoforms.
Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), not only functions as a growth factor, but also participates in chemotaxis for triggering cell movement. Elevated levels of placental PDGF is observed during the late first and third-trimester pregnancies. PDGF is associated with wound healing. PDGFRα (PDGF receptor α ) phosphorylation, mediated by PDGFA activates pathways associated with cancer. PDGFA has been indicated to induce growth and metastasis in human hepatocellular carcinoma. Vascular endothelial growth factor expression is regulated by PDGF-AA autocrine signaling and is known to promote tumor angiogenesis in vivo. PDGF-BB isomer is found to be critical in angiogenesis and is highly expressed in tumor, mediating oncogenic pericyte recruitment. PDGF-BB is an important regulator of bone homeostasis, repair and regeneration.
