Platelet-derived growth factor receptor-β expression in human peritoneum.
BACKGROUND
Simple peritoneal fibrosis and encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis (EPS) are important lesions in the peritoneum of patients on peritoneal dialysis (PD). We have previously described a population of podoplanin-positive myofibroblasts in peritoneal biopsies from patients with EPS. Platelet-derived growth factor receptor-β (PDGFRβ) is a marker of pericytes, and PDGFs might be involved in the fibrotic response of the peritoneum. This study aimed to describe PDGFRβ in the human peritoneum.


METHODS
In this retrospective analysis, we localized PDGFRβ in peritoneal biopsies from patients with EPS (n = 6) and patients on PD without signs of EPS (n = 5), and compared them with normal peritoneum (n = 4) and peritoneum from uremic patients (n = 5). Consecutive sections were stained for smooth-muscle actin (SMA) and podoplanin. Slides were scored semiquantitatively by 2 observers blinded to the diagnosis.


RESULTS
PDGFRβ was expressed by cells of arterial walls in all biopsies. A prominent population of PDGFRβ-positive cells was present in the normal peritoneum, which were SMA negative on consecutive sections. In patients on PD, a high number of PDGFRβ were also positive for SMA. In EPS, the majority of podoplanin-positive cells were positive for PDGFRβ. In peritoneal biopsies from normal and uremic patients, the expression of SMA was mainly restricted to cells of arterial walls. Podoplanin expression was restricted to lymphatic vessels in normal peritoneum, in uremic patients, and in patients on PD without EPS.


CONCLUSIONS
As podoplanin-positive myofibroblasts express PDGFRβ, these cells might be related to pericytes (rather than other sources of fibroblasts). PDGFRβ might turn out to be a therapeutic target in EPS.
Division of Nephrology, University Hospital, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
Harald
H
Seeger
Niko
N
Braun
Joerg
J
Latus
M Dominik
MD
Alscher
Peter
P
Fritz
Ilka
I
Edenhofer
Dagmar
D
Biegger
Maja
M
Lindenmeier
Rudolf P
RP
Wüthrich
Stephan
S
Segerer
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D056627:Peritoneal Fibrosis / Q000378:metabolism*; D010537:Peritoneum / Q000378:metabolism*; D020797:Receptor, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor beta / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D020797:Receptor, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor beta