PDGF-C is a new protease-activated ligand for the PDGF α-receptor

  • Xuri Li
  • , Annica Pontén
  • , Karin Aase
  • , Linda Karlsson
  • , Alexandra Abramsson
  • , Marko Uutela
  • , Gudrun Bäckström
  • , Mats Hellström
  • , Hans Boström
  • , Hong Li
  • , Philippe Soriano
  • , Christer Betsholtz
  • , Carl Henrik Heldin
  • , Kari Alitalo
  • , Arne Östman
  • , Ulf Eriksson

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

533 Scopus citations

Abstract

Platelet-derived growth factors (PDGFs) are important in many types of mesenchymal cell. Here we identify a new PDGF, PDGF-C, which binds to and activates the PDGF α-receptor. PDGF-C is activated by proteolysis and induces proliferation of fibroblasts when overexpressed in transgenic mice. In situ hybridization analysis in the murine embryonic kidney shows preferential expression of PDGF-C messenger RNA in the metanephric mesenchyme during epithelial conversion. Analysis of kidneys lacking the PDGF α-receptor shows selective loss of mesenchymal cells adjacent to sites of expression of PDGF-C mRNA; this is not found in kidneys from animals lacking PDGF-A or both PDGF-A and PDGF-B, indicating that PDGF-C may have a unique function.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)302-307
Number of pages6
JournalNature Cell Biology
Volume2
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - 2000
Externally publishedYes

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