Page 271 - Read Online

Vasefi et al. Vessel Plus 2020;4:24 I http://dx.doi.org/10.20517/2574-1209.2020.16 Page 7 of 11
[95]
[94]
with HAND . Stroke patients have higher levels of circulating PDGFb receptor-positive cells . PDGF-BB
is consistently among the growing number of proteins and molecules identified as biomarkers in the CSF
[99]
of AD patients [96-98] and is potentially a serum biomarker for PD . PDGF-BB levels are also elevated in
[101]
[100]
patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis . PDGF-BB may be a biomarker for schizophrenia as well
[102]
as having links to the disease via genetic differences in both PDGF-B and PDGFb receptor genes . Last,
mutations in PDGF-B and PDGFb receptor genes are both biomarkers for, and causative agents of, familial
brain calcification [103,104] .
CONCLUSION
PDGF signaling is crucial for healthy CNS development. In recent years, its role in the developed CNS,
and even in the aging CNS, has been linked to various neuropathologies and neuroprotective pathways.
Understanding, and possibly targeting, the PDGF system will be crucial to our understanding and
treatment of stroke and neuronal damage, dementias including HAND and Alzheimer’s disease, and in
Parkinson’s disease. In addition to understanding ligand-activated PDGF receptor signaling, indirect,
GPCR-mediated transactivation of the PDGFb receptor, provides a link between GPCR-targeted therapies
and PDGF system changes.

DECLARATIONS
Authors’ contributions
Made substantial contributions to conception and design of the study: Vasefi M, Beazely MA
Participated in drafting the article and revising the content: Vasefi M
Contributed in revising the article and approved the revised version: Beazely MA

Availability of data and materials
Not applicable

Financial support and sponsorship
None.

Conflicts of interest
Both authors declared that there are no conflicts of interest.

Ethical approval and consent to participate
Not applicable.

Consent for publication
Not applicable.

Copyright
© The Author(s) 2020.

REFERENCES
1. Heldin CH, Ostman A, Ronnstrand L. Signal transduction via platelet-derived growth factor receptors. Biochim Biophys Acta
1998;1378:F79-113.
2. Kazlauskas A. PDGFs and their receptors. Gene 2017;614:1-7.
3. Heldin CH, Westermark B. Mechanism of action and in vivo role of platelet-derived growth factor. Physiol Rev 1999;79:1283-316.
4. Sil S, Periyasamy P, Thangaraj A, Chivero ET, Buch S. PDGF/PDGFR axis in the neural systems. Mol Aspects Med 2018;62:63-74.
5. Williams BP, Park JK, Alberta JA, Muhlebach SG, Hwang GY, et al. A PDGF-regulated immediate early gene response initiates neuronal
differentiation in ventricular zone progenitor cells. Neuron 1997;18:553-62.
6. Smits A, Kato M, Westermark B, Nister M, Heldin CH, et al. Neurotrophic activity of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF): rat neuronal