Description
Platelet-Derived Growth Factor (PDGF) is a member of the protein family which includes vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF). PDGF is proteolytically processed from a pre/pro-protein to generate PDGF subunit B, which can homodimerize, or can heterodimerize with the related PDGF subunit A. These proteins bind and activate PDGF receptor tyrosine kinases. PDGF is a mitogenic peptide growth hormone carried in the alpha-granules of platelets, released when platelets adhere to traumatized tissues. Connective tissue cells near the traumatized region respond by initiating the process of replication. The synthesis of PDGF can be induced by IL-1, IL-6, TNF-α, TGF-β and EGF