The PDGF system and its antagonists in liver fibrosis

Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) belongs to the family of growth factors consisting of four secreted extracellular ligands encoded by four different genes. They are assembled into disulfide-bonded dimers via homo- or heterodimerization [1]. PDGF-A and -B may form both homodimers and heterodimers (PDGF-AA, -AB, -BB) but PDGF-C and -D exist only as homodimers (PDGF-CC and -DD). The different PDGF members show a high sequence identity with vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF) and are therefore often referred to as the PDGF/VEGF family in mammals and invertebrates.
Source: Cytokine and Growth Factor Reviews - Category: Molecular Biology Authors: Tags: Mini review Source Type: research