Increased expression of platelet-derived growth factor C messenger ribonucleic acid in uterine leiomyomata

This study was intended to investigate the possible roles of the platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) gene family's involvement in the pathogenesis of uterine leiomyomata. We examined the differential gene expressions of PDGF-A, -B, -C, -D, PDGF receptor alpha (PDGFR-alpha), and receptor beta (PDGFR-beta) between uterine leiomyomata and the adjacent normal myometrium. Expression of PDGF-C in leiomyomata was significantly higher (approximately 2.4-fold) than in the adjacent normal myometrium, whereas there were no significant differences in the expressions of PDGF-A, -B, -D, PDGFR-alpha, or PDGFR-beta between leiomyomata and the adjacent myometrial tissues.