Characterization and partial purification of an endothelial cell growth factor from human platelets

Platelets have been shown to affect the growth of vascular endothelial cells. This report describes the characterization and partial purification from human platelets of a novel growth factor which can stimulate human endothelial cells to synthesize DNA and grow. Platelets were lysed by sonication and the particulate fraction removed by ultracentrifugation at 100,000 g. The supernatant of the platelet lysate stimulated the incorporation of [3H]thymidine into DNA of endothelial cells by 20-fold and caused a threefold increase of cell number in 2 d in culture. Gel filtration on Sephacryl S-200 and dialysis with exclusion membranes resulted in a 50-fold purification of this growth-promoting substance. Two peaks of endothelial-growth factor (ENDO-GF) were observed with apparent molecular weights of 65,000 and 135,000. Further characterization showed that ENDO-GF differed from platelet-derived growth factor since it was very heat labile and more potent in stimulating growth in endothelial cells than in fibroblasts. The isolation of an ENDO-GF from platelets suggests that platelets may have a role in the growth and healing processes of human endothelium.