Description
PDGF is a major serum mitogen that can exist as a homo or hetero-dimeric protein consisting of disulfide-linked PDGF-A and PDGF-B chains. The PDGF-AA,PDGF-BB and PDGF-AB isoforms have been shown to bind to two distinct cell surface PDGF receptors with different affinities. Where as PDGF R alpha binds all three PDGF isoforms with high affinity, PDGF R beta binds PDGF-BB only with high-affinity. PDGF R plays an essential role in blood vessel development by promoting proliferation, migration and recruitment of pericytes and smooth muscle cells to endothelial cells. Plays a role in the migration of vascular smooth muscle cells and the formation of neointima at vascular injury sites.