Fibroplasia and angiogenesis are essential components of tissue repair when substantial tissue has been lost at a site of injury. Platelets and monocyte/macrophages accumulate at these sites and release a variety of growth factors that are thought to initiate and sustain the repair. Often the involved tissue contracts, a process that can markedly reduce the amount of fibroplasia and angiogenesis necessary for the reestablishment of organ integrity. Such tissue contraction occurs over hours or days, a much slower time course than the rapid, reversible contraction of muscle tissue. Fibroblasts, which are rich in f-actin bundles, appear to be responsible for wound contraction. However, the signals that stimulate contraction are not known. Using cultured fibroblasts, which are also rich in f-actin bundles, we demonstrate the platelet and monocyte isoforms of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF; AB and BB) but not PDGF-AA, can stimulate fibroblasts to contract collagen matrix in a time course similar to that of wound contraction. In addition, PDGF appears to be the predominant fibroblast/collagen gel contraction activity released from platelets. Vasoactive agonists known to stimulate smooth and striated muscle contraction do not stimulate fibroblast-driven collagen gel contraction.
R A Clark, J M Folkvord, C E Hart, M J Murray, J M McPherson
The Editorial Board will only consider comments that are deemed relevant and of interest to readers. The Journal will not post data that have not been subjected to peer review; or a comment that is essentially a reiteration of another comment.