The role of PDGF-BB on the development of the collateral circulation after acute arterial occlusion.

The survival of tissues in the presence of arterial occlusion is critically dependent on the development of collateral blood vessels. Identification of the biochemical mediators and their mechanism of action is fundamental to an understanding of the evolution of the collateral circulation. The ability of PDGF-BB to promote this was evaluated in an animal model of hind limb ischaemia. In order to obtain significant quantities of this mitogen for use in our animal model, human recombinant PDGF-BB was expressed in a Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cell line. The transfected CHO cells produced 544 micrograms/l of PDGF-BB in serum free medium (SFM). The 30 kDa form of PDGF-BB was purified to homogeneity as judged by silver staining and amino-acid sequencing. Purified PDGF-BB was shown to be bioactive by a cell proliferation assay. The exogenous administration of PDGF-BB enhanced the recovery of blood flow after acute arterial occlusion. The results suggest that PDGF-BB may have therapeutic value in promoting collateral development following arterial occlusion.