Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Cell proliferation and tissue repair is a complicated process, accompanied by participation of multiple growth factors. These factors interact with each other to better promote cell proliferation and tissue repair.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB) of different concentrations on proliferation of tendon cells cultured in vitro.
METHODS: Rat tendon cells were cultured and identified in vitro. According to concentration of PDGF-BB nutrient solution in culture medium, the cells were divided into control group (0 μg/L) and PDGF-BB groups (1, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 150, 200, 250 μg/L). Proliferation of tendon cells was detected by MTT test. The absorbance value of tendon cells in control group and 20 μg/L PDGF-BB group after culture for 12, 24, 36, 48, 60 and 72 hours were determined to evaluate relationship with proliferation dose-effect and time.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The isolated cells were identified to be tendon cells as they were positive for type Ⅰ collagen staining and negative for type Ⅲ collagen staining. Compared with control group, the absorbance values of all groups were all increased, except for 250 μg/L PDGF-BB group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Besides, the absorbance value rose gradually with the increase of the concentration of PDGF-BB, and then diminished gradually with the increase of the concentration of PDGF-BB from 20 μg/L. The number of tendon cells in 20 μg/L PDGF-BB group began to increase when cultured for 12 hours, and reached the highest level at 48 hours, and the absorbance at 24-72 hours was significantly greater than control group (P < 0.01). Results suggest that PDGF-BB can promote the proliferation of tendon cells in a definite range of concentration and time．