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Regulated expression of PDGF A-chain mRNA in human saphenous vein smooth muscle cells

J A Winkles1, C G Gay

  • 1Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Jerome H. Holland Laboratory for the Biomedical Sciences, American Red Cross, Rockville, Maryland 20855.

Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications
|October 31, 1991
PubMed

Insights

Human vascular smooth muscle cells (SMC) can produce platelet-derived growth factor A-chain (PDGF-AA). Inflammatory signals can increase PDGF-AA production, potentially influencing cell growth and migration in blood vessels.

Area of Science:

  • Vascular biology
  • Cell signaling
  • Molecular biology

Background:

  • Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) is implicated in vascular smooth muscle cell (SMC) replication and migration.
  • Potential sources of PDGF in the vessel wall include platelets, macrophages, endothelial cells, and SMC.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the regulation of PDGF gene expression in human SMC in vitro.
  • To determine which PDGF chain(s) are expressed by human SMC.

Main Methods:

  • Culturing human SMC in vitro.
  • Analyzing PDGF mRNA expression in response to various stimuli.
  • Quantifying PDGF A-chain and B-chain transcripts.

Main Results:

  • Human SMC express transcripts for PDGF A-chain but not B-chain.
  • Serum, phorbol ester, acidic fibroblast growth factor, transforming growth factor-beta, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha significantly increased PDGF A-chain mRNA levels.
  • Interleukin-1 and -6 did not affect PDGF A-chain mRNA levels.

Conclusions:

  • SMC can produce PDGF-AA.
  • Inflammatory or injury signals can upregulate PDGF-AA expression in SMC.
  • Elevated PDGF-AA may act in autocrine or paracrine ways to regulate SMC behavior at sites of vascular injury or inflammation.

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