Two platelet-derived growth factor receptors in vascular smooth muscle cells

Distinct genes encode alpha and beta PDGF receptors which differ in their abilities to be triggered by three dimeric forms of the PDGF molecules. By use of a strategy involving introduction of expression vectors for alpha and beta PDGF receptor cDNA into the cells originally lacking these receptors, we demonstrated that each receptor was able to couple independently with mitogenic signal transduction pathways inherently present in these cells. Moreover, both receptors were capable of inducing a readily detectable chemotactic response. The vascular smooth muscle cells which express both types of PDGF receptors are mitogenic and chemotactic for PDGFs. Moreover, the alpha receptor is the preferred receptor for platelet PDGF-AB as well as the PDGF-AA isoform which is ubiquitously produced in many cells forming atherosclerotic plaques including macrophages, endothelial cells and even arterial smooth muscle cells. Our results indicated that the availability of specific PDGF isoforms and the relative expression of each receptor gene product appear to be major determinants of the PDGF response. An understanding of the mechanisms by which the expression of PDGF and their receptors on vascular smooth muscle cells are regulated will give greater insights as to how these gene products are involved in atherosclerosis.