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Glomerular mesangial cell migration in response to platelet-derived growth factor
1Department of Pathology, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence.
Summary
Glomerular mesangial cells exhibit chemotaxis, migrating towards Platelet-Derived Growth Factor (PDGF). This finding suggests a role for PDGF-induced mesangial cell migration in glomerular diseases.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Platelet-Derived Growth Factor (PDGF) is a known mitogen and chemoattractant for various cell types.
- Glomerular mesangial cells proliferate in response to PDGF, but their migratory response to specific growth factors has not been studied.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the migratory behavior of isolated rat mesangial cells in response to Platelet-Derived Growth Factor (PDGF).
Main Methods:
- Chemotaxis assays were conducted using two-compartment blind well chambers with porous filters.
- Mesangial cells were exposed to varying concentrations of human PDGF in the lower compartment.
- Cell migration was quantified by counting cells on the underside of the filter using scanning electron microscopy.
Main Results:
- A linear dose-dependent migration of mesangial cells towards increasing PDGF concentrations was observed.
- Cell migration increased up to 9-fold over controls at the highest PDGF concentration (50 units/ml).
- Migratory cells were confirmed as mesangial cells through specific protein expression (actin, myosin, desmin) and absence of leukocyte markers.
Conclusions:
- Mesangial cells demonstrate chemotaxis in response to Platelet-Derived Growth Factor (PDGF).
- This PDGF-mediated mesangial cell migration may contribute to the pathogenesis of mesangial proliferative glomerular diseases.