Platelet-derived growth factor is a mitogen for glial but not for neuronal rat brain cells in vitro

The effects of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) on the proliferation of isolated rat neural cells grown in serum-free chemically defined media have been investigated. It was found that PDGF drastically stimulates the proliferation of astroblasts and oligodendroblasts, but has no effect on the proliferation of neuroblasts in primary culture. A role of PDGF in the reactive gliosis, occurring after brain injury, can be suggested.