Platelet-Derived Growth Factor (PDGF)
A growth factor released from platelets during blood clotting that stimulates cell growth, migration, and wound healing. PDGF recruits fibroblasts and smooth muscle cells to injury sites and is one of the earliest signals initiating the wound healing cascade.
Technical Context
PDGF is a dimeric glycoprotein composed of A and B chains (PDGF-AA, PDGF-AB, PDGF-BB, plus PDGF-CC and PDGF-DD). Released from platelet alpha-granules during clotting (and also produced by macrophages, endothelial cells, and fibroblasts), PDGF is among the earliest growth factors to arrive at a wound site. It acts through receptor tyrosine kinases PDGFRα and PDGFRβ. Key wound healing effects: potent chemoattractant for fibroblasts and smooth muscle cells, stimulates fibroblast proliferation and collagen production, promotes angiogenesis, and recruits macrophages. Becaplermin (Regranex) is recombinant human PDGF-BB — the only growth factor approved by the FDA for wound healing (specifically for diabetic foot ulcers), demonstrating the therapeutic potential of growth factor-based peptide/protein therapeutics in tissue repair.