Human platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF): amino-terminal amino acid sequence.

Human platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) obtained from outdated human platelets was subjected to amino-terminal amino acid sequence analysis by automated Edman degradation. Despite the apparent presence of limited proteolytic degradation of the protein derived from this method, the sequence analysis reveals two primary peptide sequences and suggests that active PDGF is composed of two, possibly homologous, peptides linked by a disulfide bond or bonds.

Simian sarcoma virus--transformed cells secrete a mitogen identical to platelet-derived growth factor.

Normal rat kidney (NRK) cells transformed by simian sarcoma virus (SSV) release into the culture medium a biologically active mitogen with properties identical to those of human platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF). Like PDGF, the growth factor derived from SSV-NRK cells was shown to be stable to heat and sensitive to reducing agents. It was capable of inhibiting binding of labeled PDGF to the receptor on human fibroblasts. It also stimulated the phosphorylation of the same membrane protein (185 kilodaltons) in isolated plasma membranes from human fibroblasts. Immunoprecipitation of metabolically labeled proteins released by SSV-NRK cells showed that a 34-kilodalton protein was specifically precipitated by antiserum to PDGF. Upon reduction, this protein had a molecular size of 17 kilodaltons. PDGF has been shown to consist of two 14- to 18-kilodalton proteins linked by disulfide bonds.

Simian sarcoma virus onc gene, v-sis, is derived from the gene (or genes) encoding a platelet-derived growth factor.

The transforming protein of a primate sarcoma virus and a platelet-derived growth factor are derived from the same or closely related cellular genes. This conclusion is based on the demonstration of extensive sequence similarity between the transforming protein derived from the simian sarcoma virus onc gene, v-sis, and a human platelet-derived growth factor. The mechanism by which v-sis transforms cells could involve the constitutive expression of a protein with functions similar or identical to those of a factor active transiently during normal cell growth.

Detection of c-sis transcripts and synthesis of PDGF-like proteins by human osteosarcoma cells.

Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) has been previously shown to be homologous to the transforming gene of simian sarcoma virus (v-sis), and inappropriate expression of the cellular counterpart of the v-sis gene (c-sis) has been implicated in the generation of mesenchymal tumors. The U-2 OS human osteosarcoma line was shown to contain multiple c-sis transcripts. Immunoprecipitation experiments with antiserum to PDGF identified a variety of polypeptides ranging in size from 18,000 to 165,000 daltons that were immunoprecipitated specifically from U-2 OS cell extracts. The osteosarcoma also was shown to secrete a 29,000-dalton protein having the serological and structural characteristics of PDGF.

Growth factors in wound healing. Single and synergistic effects on partial thickness porcine skin wounds.

Several growth factors are potential mediators of wound healing, although their actual roles, interactions, and therapeutic use are not established. Six well-characterized human growth factors were chosen for detailed investigation by topical application to standardized skin wounds in swine: epidermal growth factor (EGF), transforming growth factors alpha and beta (TGF-alpha and TGF-beta), fibroblast growth factor (FGF), insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF). When applied singly in doses up to 1,500 ng, only TGF-beta produced a marked tissue response, as demonstrated by an increase in the new connective tissue volume, the collagen content and maturity, and increased angiogenesis. However, TGF-beta enhanced inflammation and caused abnormal epithelial differentiation and decreased epithelial volume, the last reversed by addition of IGF-I. Recombinant PDGF-2 homodimer, if given in combination with recombinant IGF-I, caused a similar increase in the new connective tissue volume and collagen content and maturity, but without increased inflammation. In addition, this combination stimulated increased amounts of epithelium with normal differentiation. The synergy of PDGF-2 and IGF-I was optimal at a ratio of 2:1 by weight. Of the six individual factors and nine combinations tested, the combinations of PDGF-2 and IGF-I or PDGF-2 and TGF-alpha were the most potent stimulators of healing in the absence of increased inflammation.

Platelet-derived growth factor stimulates mouse 3T3 cell mitogenesis and leukocyte chemotaxis through different structural determinants.

Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) stimulates both proliferation of fibroblasts and chemotaxis of leukocytes. In this study we compared the mitogenic and chemotactic activities of native PDGF and reduced PDGF. Reduction of PDGF (Mr = 32,000) to its constituent polypeptides (Mr = 14,000 and 17,000) caused a loss of the ability to stimulate proliferation of Balb/c 3T3 cells. However, reduced PDGF retained virtually all of its activity as a chemotactic agent for human neutrophils and monocytes. A half-maximal chemotactic response to both native and reduced PDGF occurred at a concentration of approximately 0.08 nM for neutrophils and 0.1 nM for monocytes. The maximal chemotactic response to reduced PDGF was at least as great as the maximal response to native PDGF. Both native and reduced PDGF stimulated the release of the lysosomal enzyme, beta-glucosaminidase, from neutrophils with a half-maximal response at less than 0.1 nM. However, the net maximum release of this enzyme by PDGF (and reduced PDGF) was significantly less than that stimulated by a maximal concentration of the chemotactic peptide N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine. These results indicate that different structural determinants are required for the proliferative response of 3T3 cells to PDGF and for the chemotactic response of leukocytes to PDGF.

Expression of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-related transcripts and synthesis of biologically active PDGF-like proteins by human malignant epithelial cell lines.

Human malignant epithelial cell lines were analyzed for expression of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) genes. Of the 12 cell lines tested, 9, derived from breast, lung, gastric, and ovarian carcinomas, were found to express both PDGF-1 and PDGF-2 genes. The levels of both PDGF-1 and PDGF-2 transcripts were superinduced when these cells were treated with cycloheximide, an inhibitor of protein synthesis. These cells also released an activity that in studies with BALB-c/3T3 cells, inhibited binding of 125I-labeled PDGF and stimulated incorporation of [3H]thymidine. This stimulating activity was inhibited after reduction of the conditioned media by mercaptoethanol or after preincubation with antibodies to PDGF. Moreover, this activity was not affected by heat treatment. Immunoprecipitation studies revealed that breast, lung, and gastric carcinoma cells produced PDGF-like proteins that migrated as 30- and 32-kD species under nonreducing conditions and as 15- and 16-kD species under reducing conditions. In contrast, malignant cells of ovarian origin produced 14-16-kD PDGF-like proteins that were unchanged in mobility after reduction. As PDGF receptors were not detected on these malignant epithelial cells, the production of PDGF-like proteins may affect other cells in the microenvironment by paracrine mechanisms and may contribute to excessive cell proliferation, inflammatory reactions, and connective tissue remodeling seen in certain carcinomas.

Platelet-derived growth factor in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

Fibrosis is a complex process involving an inflammatory reaction, fibroblast proliferation, and abnormal accumulation of interstitial collagens. Mononuclear cells are usually present in lung fibrosis. Activated monocytes and macrophages in culture have been shown to produce several growth factors including platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF). PDGF is a potent mitogen and chemoattractant for fibroblasts and smooth muscle cells and a stimulator of collagen synthesis. We have studied the expression of c-sis/PDGF-2 mRNA in lung tissues derived from five patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and from four control individuals without IPF. Northern blot analysis of specimens obtained from four patients with IPF revealed the expression of the c-sis/PDGF-2 protooncogene. A control lung tissue without IPF did not express the c-sis protooncogene. In situ hybridization extended these studies demonstrating the expression of the c-sis mRNA in the five specimens with IPF but not in the four control specimens without IPF. The expression of c-sis mRNA was localized primarily in the epithelial cells. Invading alveolar macrophages also expressed c-sis mRNA. The expression of c-sis mRNA was accompanied by the expression of PDGF-like proteins in lung specimens with IPF but not in control lung specimens. These findings demonstrate the in vivo expression of the c-sis/PDGF-2 protooncogene and the production of PDGF-like proteins in the epithelial cells and macrophages of the fibrotic tissue. This localized and sustained production of PDGF-like mitogen may constitute an important contributing factor in the abnormal fibroblast proliferation and collagen production, events associated with pulmonary fibrosis.

p53 expression during normal tissue regeneration in response to acute cutaneous injury in swine.

The present studies investigated the in vivo expression of the p53 suppressor gene and protein product in response to acute cutaneous injury in swine, along with the parallel expression of the c-sis/PDGF-B mitogen and its receptor beta (PDGF-R beta). p53 expression was shown to be suppressed during the period of active cellular proliferation in the injured tissue and to reemerge during the stages of healing. In contrast, c-sis/PDGF-B and PDGF-R beta were expressed during the early phase of active cellular proliferation and they were suppressed upon healing. This inverse relationship between mitogenic growth factors and p53 suggests the presence of well-controlled physiologic mechanisms that regulate in vivo the processes of normal tissue repair in response to injury. At the stages of tissue regeneration, these mechanisms include both the expression of growth factors that promote cell proliferation and the suppression of p53 that downregulates proliferation. At the stages of healing, the expression of the mitogenic growth factors is suppressed and that of p53 reemerges, reaching its peak at the time of complete epithelialization and healing of the injured tissue. These studies are the first to link the response of p53 protein to physiologic processes of tissue regeneration in vivo.

Coexpression of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and PDGF-receptor genes by primary human astrocytomas may contribute to their development and maintenance.

The present studies investigated the expression of the two PDGF genes (c-sis/PDGF-2 and PDGF-1) and the PDGF-receptor b gene (PDGF-R) in 34 primary human astrocytomas. Northern blot analysis demonstrated the coexpression of the c-sis/PDGF-2 protooncogene and the PDGF-R gene in all astrocytomas examined. The majority of the tumors also expressed the PDGF-1 gene. There was no correlation between the expression of the two PDGF genes. Nonmalignant human brain tissue expressed the PDGF-R and PDGF-1 genes but not the c-sis/PDGF-2 protooncogene. In situ hybridization of astrocytoma tissue localized the expression of the c-sis and PDGF-R mRNA's in tumor cells. Capillary endothelial cells also expressed c-sis mRNA. In contrast, nonmalignant human brain tissue expressed only PDGF-R mRNA but not c-sis/PDGF-2 mRNA. The coexpression of a potent mitogenic growth factor protooncogene (c-sis) and its receptor gene in astrocytoma tumor cells suggests the presence of an autocrine mechanism that may contribute to the development and maintenance of astrocytomas. The expression of c-sis mRNA in tumor cells but not in nonmalignant brain cells may serve as an additional diagnostic criterion for the detection of astrocytomas in small tissue specimen using in situ hybridization for the detection of c-sis mRNA and/or immunostaining for the recognition of its protein product.

Expression of c-sis/platelet-derived growth factor B, insulin-like growth factor I, and transforming growth factor alpha messenger RNAs and their respective receptor messenger RNAs in primary human gastric carcinomas: in vivo studies with in situ hybridization and immunocytochemistry.

In situ hybridization and immunocytochemistry have been applied to investigate the expression of c-sis/platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-B, insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I, and transforming growth factor alpha mRNAs and their respective receptor mRNAs in three primary human gastric carcinomas and in their adjacent nonmalignant mucosas. Expression of c-sis/PDGF-B mRNA and PDGF-receptor beta mRNA was seen in the tumor cells of the three gastric cancer specimens but not in their adjacent nonmalignant mucosa. The mRNA expression was accompanied by the expression of their respective protein products. IGF-I, IGF-I receptor, and epidermal growth factor receptor mRNAs were seen in both the tumor cells of the gastric cancer specimens and in nonmalignant mucosa. Transforming growth factor alpha mRNA was expressed in gastric tumor cells but not in nonmalignant mucosa. The coexpression of a potent "competence" growth factor, PDGF, and "progression" growth factors, IGF-I and transforming growth factor alpha, in the tumor cells of gastric carcinomas may contribute to their growth and maintenance.

Evidence that a human osteosarcoma cell line which secretes a mitogen similar to platelet-derived growth factor requires growth factors present in platelet-poor plasma.

A human osteosarcoma-derived cell line, 2T, grows almost as well in medium supplemented with platelet-poor plasma (PPP) as it does in medium containing fetal bovine serum. Human diploid fibroblasts, in contrast, will not grow in medium containing PPP unless human platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) is added. PPP treated with carboxymethyl-Sephadex at pH 7.4 was able to support 2T cell proliferation, although at a reduced rate compared to untreated PPP. Addition of PDGF to carboxymethyl-Sephadex-treated PPP did not restore the growth rate. However, insulin-like growth factor isolated from human plasma did partially restore the activity of carboxy-methyl-Sephadex-treated PPP. Medium conditioned by 2T cells was mitogenic for quiescent BALB/c3T3 cells and human diploid fibroblasts. Antiserum to human PDGF blocked the mitogenic activity of the conditioned medium. Partial characterization confirmed the biochemical similarity to PDGF. The data are consistent with the hypothesis that these osteosarcoma-derived cells have growth factor requirements similar to those of normal mesenchymal cells but are able to overcome the normal growth limitations by autocrine secretion of PDGF-like mitogens.

Constitutive production of platelet-derived growth factor-like proteins by human prostate carcinoma cell lines.

Prostate carcinoma cell lines DU-145 and PC-3 express both platelet derived growth factor (PDGF)-1 and PDGF-2/sis genes. Concomitantly, these cells synthesize and secrete PDGF-like proteins, as judged by indirect immunofluorescence and by direct immunoprecipitation with specific PDGF antiserum. Conditioned media derived from DU-145 and PC-3 cells stimulated the incorporation of [3H]thymidine by 3T3 cells and competed with 125I-labeled PDGF for its binding to cell surface receptors of 3T3 cells. The biological activity was stable to heating at 100 degrees C for 10 min, sensitive to reducing agents, and neutralized by the IgG fraction of PDGF antiserum, properties similar to those of authentic PDGF. Both DU-145 and PC-3 cell lines appear to lack receptors for PDGF as indicated by their inability to mitogenically respond to PDGF and receptor binding of 125I-labeled PDGF. Production of PDGF-like proteins by human prostate carcinoma cells may play an important role in a paracrine mode in the organization of the extracellular matrix of the malignant tissue.

Evidence for functional platelet-derived growth factor receptors on MG-63 human osteosarcoma cells.

The specific interaction of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) with the human osteosarcoma cell line MG-63 was studied. Scatchard analysis of 125I-PDGF binding to MG-63 cells indicated there were 32,000 specific PDGF-binding sites per cell with a Kd of 2.4 X 10(-11) M. Unlabeled PDGF blocked the specific binding of labeled PDGF to MG-63 cells at concentrations greater than 1 ng/ml. When assayed for phosphorylation of MG-63 membrane vesicles, PDGF was shown to stimulate a dose-dependent phosphorylation of a protein (phosphoprotein with a molecular weight of 185,000) which was stable in 1 M NaOH. In the absence of PDGF, a prominent alkali-stable phosphoprotein with a molecular weight of 116,000 was noted. PDGF also stimulated a dose-dependent increase in [3H]aminoisobutyric acid uptake, [3H]thymidine incorporation, and cell proliferation. When tested for secretion of PDGF-like factors, the mitogenic activity of MG-63-conditioned serum-free medium was not blocked by anti-PDGF antiserum. Concentrated MG-63-conditioned medium did not compete with 125I-PDGF for specific receptor sites on diploid fibroblasts. Therefore, MG-63 osteosarcoma cells have functional PDGF receptors and do not secrete PDGF-like mitogens.

Expression of angiogenic growth factor genes in primary human astrocytomas may contribute to their growth and progression.

Astrocytomas are highly malignant brain tumors and are among the most neovascularized solid tumors. We have investigated the expression of the angiogenic growth factors acidic fibroblast growth factor and transforming growth factor-alpha, together with its receptor epidermal growth factor receptor, in 30 primary astrocytomas. Both acidic fibroblast growth factor and transforming growth factor-alpha, together with epidermal growth factor receptor, are found to be greatly overexpressed in these tumors when compared with normal brain. This overexpression of angiogenic growth factors may underlie the intense neovascularization characteristic of astrocytomas.

Synthesis of PDGF by cultured human T cells transformed with HTLV-I and II.

Human T cells immortalized by human T lymphotropic virus (HTLV)-I and HTLV-II express the genes encoding both chains of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF). These cells produce biologically active PDGF-like molecules of 31 and 32 kD, identified in the conditioned media of the virus-infected cells by direct immunoprecipitation, under non-reducing conditions, with antisera to PDGF. Upon reduction, the PDGF-like molecules are converted to mitogenically inactive single chains of 14 and 15 kD. The HTLV-transformed cells produce PDGF-like molecules regardless of their ability to produce viral particles. No PDGF-related mRNAs, PDGF-like proteins, nor PDGF-like mitogenic activity were detected in normal human T cells stimulated by phytohemagglutinin or in a T cell line which is not infected by HTLV. It is possible that one of the pathways of immortalization of T cells by HTLV-I or II might be by activation of PDGF-related genes.

Stimulatin of phospholipid and cholesterol ester synthesis by platelet-derived growth factor in normal and homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia human skin fibroblasts.

Pure human platelet-derived growth factor at nanogram levels stimulates cholesterol ester, phospholipid and DNA synthesis in normal and familial hypercholesterolemia mutant human skin fibroblasts. Stimulation of DNA synthesis did not begin until 15-24 h after addition of platelet-derived growth factor to quiescent normal and FH mutant fibroblasts, In contrast, stimulation of [3H]oleic acid incorporation into cholesterol ester and phospholipid was evident 3-6 h after the addition of platelet-derived growth factor. In the normal cells, the rate of cholesterol ester synthesis was maximal at 24 h, then rapidly declined. Compared to the normal cells, cholesterol esterification was much lower in the FH cells; however, platelet-derived growth factor stimulated the rate of [3H]oleic acid incorporation into cholesterol ester by 5-fold, 31 h after addition of the growth factor. The stimulation of [3H]oleic acid incorporation into cholesterol ester by platelet-derived growth factor was inhibited in both normal and FH mutant skin fibroblasts by progesterone, an inhibitor of acyl-CoA: cholesterol acyltransferase. The rate of cholesterol ester synthesis in the normal cells increased as the concentration of platelet-poor plasma or low density lipoprotein (LDL) was increased, especially in the presence of platelet-derived growth factor. Linearization of the LDL dose-response curve indicated that platelet-derived growth factor increased the rate rather than the affinity of the overall cholesterol esterification system. The rate of cholesterol esterification in the FH mutant cells was highest in the absence of LDL or at low levels of platelet-poor plasma. Consequently, platelet-derived growth factor can stimulate cholesterol ester synthesis by LDL- and non-LDL-mediated processes.

Uncoupling of RNA and DNA synthesis after plasma stimulation of G0-arrested BALB/C-3T3 cells.

The addition of whole serum to G0-arrested, confluent Balb/c-3T3 cells induces them to progress through G1 and synthesize DNA after a 12-h lag period. Prior to the onset of DNA synthesis, RNA is synthesized and RNA content increases. Serum has been fractionated into two sets of growth factors: a platelet-derived growth factor present in heat-treated (100 degrees C) platelet extracts and platelet-poor plasma. Addition of whole serum, platelet-derived growth factor or platelet-poor plasma induces quiescent cells to increase their cytoplasmic RNA content, but the cells treated with platelet-poor plasma do not synthesize DNA. Messenger RNA content increases within 2 h after stimulation with whole serum or platelet-poor plasma, and after 18 h, mRNA has accumulated to a greater degree than rRNA.

Transport of peptide hormones across isolated rat mesentery: effect of human serum-bound insulin.

The exchange of 125I-insulin, 125I-glucagon, 125I-proinsulin, 125I-growth hormone, 131I-albumin, 14C-inulin, and 14C-dextran across isolated rat mesentery was studied in a diffusion cell. The passage of immunoprecipitable porcine 125I-insulin (0.88 ng./ml.) was not affected by porcine proinsulin (145 ng./ml.), crystalline porcine insulin (17.4 ng./ml.), human growth hormone (87 ng./ml.), bovine serum albumin (4.5 mg./ml.), or normal guinea pig serum (840 mug. protein/ml.). However, the rate of insulin exchange was reduced by guinea pig anti-insulin antiserum and partially purified human serum-bound insulin (175 mug. protein/ml.). Bound insulin at the same concentration did not affect the exchange of 125I-glucagon, 125I-growth hormone, 14C-inulin, or 14C-dextran. Further purification of bound insulin by Sephadex G-100 chromatography yielded an approximately 45,000-molecular-weight fraction that at 5 mug. protein permilliliter allowed essentially no insulin transport. This same fraction of bound insulin significantly inhibited the disappearance of immunoprecipitable porcine 125I-insulin from the incubation medium of isolated rat hemidiaphragms. Theses studies suggest that the transport of insulin across biologic membranes, mesothelium, and possible endothelium is specifically inhibited by bound insulin, a circulating macromolecule that possesses insulin-like activity.

The effect of systemically administered PDGF-BB on the rodent skeleton.

Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), an osteoblast mitogen, has been demonstrated to accelerate fracture healing and periodontal bone repair when applied locally in vivo. To explore whether PDGF could stimulate bone formation in intact bone, we administered it systemically to rats rendered acutely estrogen-deficient. Because PDGF may stimulate bone resorption in vitro, PDGF was administered with and without an antiresorptive agent (alendronate). All treatments were given by intravenous injection 3 times a week for 6 weeks. Spinal bone mineral density (BMD) decreased by 5% in the vehicle-treated ovariectomized (OVX) rats by the end of the study as determined by DXA. Treatment with PDGF prevented this bone loss and significantly (p < 0.05) increased the bone density in the spine (9%) and whole skeleton (5.8%). Combined treatment with PDGF and alendronate resulted in a greater increase at the spine (18%) and whole skeleton (12.8%) than either agent alone. Histomorphometric analysis demonstrated that treatment with PDGF increased the osteoblast number and osteoblast perimeter without consistent changes in osteoclast estimates. Biomechanical testing demonstrated that PDGF administration increased the vertebral body compressive strength and femoral shaft torsional stiffness and resulted in a trend for enhanced femoral head shearing strength. Coadministration of alendronate further increased these indices of bone strength. PDGF administration also caused premature closure of the growth plate, decreased body fat, and resulted in extraskeletal collagen deposition. We therefore demonstrate, for the first time, that systemic administration of PDGF can increase bone density and strength throughout the skeleton.