Platelet-derived growth factors.
Blood platelets are a rich source of growth factors, including platelet-derived growth factor, platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor, and transforming growth factor beta. Platelet-derived growth factor stimulates the growth of mesenchymal cells such as fibroblasts and vascular smooth muscle cells, whereas platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor is a mitogen for vascular endothelial cells. Transforming growth factor beta is a bifunctional regulator of cellular growth, but acts as a potent inhibitor for most cell types. Most of the growth regulatory substances in platelets have been reported to reside in platelet alpha-granules, but platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor appears to be present in platelet cytoplasm. These growth factors may act at sites of injury as wound hormones. Moreover, they play important roles for some pathological conditions such as atherosclerosis, myelofibrosis, connective tissue diseases, and neoplastic disorders.
Miyazono
K
K
Third Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tokyo, Japan.
Takaku
F
F
D000818:Animals; D001779:Blood Coagulation Factors; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000502:physiology*; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000235:genetics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D015850:Interleukin-6; D010455:Peptides; D010982:Platelet-Derived Growth Factor / Q000235:genetics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology; D011506:Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D015291:Transforming Growth Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology
D001779:Blood Coagulation Factors; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors; D006133:Growth Substances; D015850:Interleukin-6; D010455:Peptides; D010982:Platelet-Derived Growth Factor; D011506:Proteins; C009862:connective tissue-activating peptide; C018329:low affinity platelet factor 4; D015291:Transforming Growth Factors