Stimulation of DNA synthesis by PDGF in the newt cardiac myocyte

The adult newt cardiac ventricular myocyte has been successfully placed in cell culture and has been shown to undergo in vitro DNA synthesis. Although several growth factors have been reported to increase DNA synthesis in cardiac myocytes in vitro, PDGF has not been reported to do so, but has been shown to be active in other systems. Ventricles were removed from the adult red-spotted newt and were enzymatically and mechanically dissociated in a solution containing trypsin and collagenase. Cells were preplated on to plastic to remove non-myocytes. Myocytes were then plated onto laminin. Groups of myocytes were fed control medium and medium containing porcine PDGF. Myocytes were given 1 microCi/ml of tritiated thymidine 6 or 24 h before fixation. Control myocytes showed a peak DNA synthesis at 12-14 days in culture. One ng/ml of PDGF increased DNA synthesis significantly to 22% above control. Myocytes responded to PDGF with significantly increased DNA synthesis in about 12 h. PDGF did not induce earlier DNA synthesis, but increased synthesis at all days of culture tested. These results indicate that PDGF acts upon cardiac myocytes, increasing their DNA synthesis.