title: PVF2, a PDGF/VEGF-like growth factor, induces hemocyte proliferation in Drosophila larvae.
abstract: Blood cells play a crucial role in both morphogenetic and immunological processes in Drosophila, yet the factors regulating their proliferation remain largely unknown. In order to address this question, we raised antibodies against a tumorous blood cell line and identified an antigenic determinant that marks the surface of prohemocytes and also circulating plasmatocytes in larvae. This antigen was identified as a Drosophila homolog of the mammalian receptor for platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)/vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). The Drosophila receptor controls cell proliferation in vitro. By overexpressing in vivo one of its putative ligands, PVF2, we induced a dramatic increase in circulating hemocytes. These results identify the PDGF/VEGF receptor homolog and one of its ligands as important players in Drosophila hematopoiesis.
authors.affiliation: Institut de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, CNRS UPR 9022, 15 rue Descartes, 67084 Strasbourg, France.
authors.forename: Anne-Isabelle
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: Munier
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Doucet
authors.forename: Emmanuel
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Perrodou
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Zachary
authors.forename: Marie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Meister
authors.forename: Jules A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Hoffmann
authors.forename: Charles A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Janeway
authors.forename: Marie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lagueux
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000906:Antibodies / Q000276:immunology; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D004330:Drosophila / Q000254:growth & development / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D006434:Hemocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007814:Larva / Q000254:growth & development / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D008024:Ligands; D017479:Receptors, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor / Q000502:physiology*; D040262:Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D000906:Antibodies; D008024:Ligands; D017479:Receptors, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor; D040262:Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor