title: Increased plasma levels of platelet-derived growth factor activity in patients with progressive systemic sclerosis.
abstract: We measured mitogenic activity of whole blood serum and platelet-poor plasma-derived serum of a group of 10 patients with progressive systemic sclerosis and of 8 controls. Mitogenic activity of plasma-derived serum was greater in patients than in controls, in the absence of other signs of platelet activation. This increased activity was inhibited by specific antibodies, anti-platelet derived growth factor, suggesting that circulating levels of platelet-derived growth factor may be present in progressive systemic sclerosis patients. Platelet-derived growth factor, released either by platelets or by monocytes, might play a role in the pathogenesis of scleroderma.
authors.affiliation: Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri, Consorzio Mario Negri Sud, S. Maria Imbaro, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pandolfi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Florita
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Altomare
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pigatto
authors.forename: M B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Donati
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Poggi
mesh_terms: D001681:Biological Assay; D002460:Cell Line; D004247:DNA / Q000096:biosynthesis; D006801:Humans; D007118:Immunoassay; D010982:Platelet-Derived Growth Factor / Q000097:blood* / Q000494:pharmacology; D012595:Scleroderma, Systemic / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D010982:Platelet-Derived Growth Factor; D004247:DNA