The term 'PDGF refers to a family of disulphide bondlinked dimeric isoforms that act as autocrine and paracrine growth factors and are produced by a variety of cell types other than platelets. They act as potent mitogens for almost all mesenchymally-derived cells. Aberrant expression is involved in certain cancers, fibroproliferative disorders and atherosclerosis. The protein also contributes to wound healing and neural regeneration. There are four members of the PDGF family - PDGF A, PDGF B, PDGF C and PDGF D. Two distinct types of PDGF-A exist - a short form that is soluble and a long form that is retained by the extracellular matrix.
