What is the platelet growth factor? Platelet-rich plasma and what PDGF can do for the skin.

PDGF (Platelet-derived Growth Factor)

INCI Name sh-Polypeptide-59

What to expect:  Anti-aging, wrinkle improvement, wound healing

What are platelets?

Platelets are small cell fragments produced in the bone marrow, and they are the blood’s primary coagulation mechanism. You may be familiar with the story of the hemophilia of Prince Alexei of Russia and Rasputin.

The effect of platelets on coagulation is mediated by the clotting factors present in their granules

Figure. Diagram of the structure of a platelet showing the granules. By Dr Graham Beards – https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=21906052

You may be less familiar with the growth factors present in platelets, which mediate the healing effects of platelet-enriched plasma (a.k.a. platelet concentrate) used today in clinical practice. In this therapy, a patient is injected with platelet-enriched plasma collected over several weeks.

You may have also heard of “vampire facials”, which involve drawing a patient’s own blood, centrifuging it to separate out platelet-rich plasma, and puncturing the skin with very fine, short needles. This is said to create openings for plasma, which is applied topically to help with skin repair. The procedure is promoted to reduce signs of aging, acne scarring, and sun damage.

What is platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)?

In addition to their effect on coagulation, platelets accelerate healing, a process mediated by the growth factors they contain. One of the growth factors is PDGF, which exerts its effects by binding to and activating cell-surface receptors. PDGF stimulates cell growth and induces changes in cell shape and motility, reorganizes the actin filament system, and stimulates chemotaxis, i.e., a directed cell movement toward a PDGF gradient. In vivo, PDGF plays important roles in embryonic development and wound healing.

On average, for blood plasma as compared with platelet-rich plasma, the platelet-derived growth factor-BB concentration increases from about 3 nanogram/ml to 20 nanogram/ml.

Mechanism of action

PDGF binds to the cell-surface tyrosine kinase receptors PDGFR-α and PDGFR-β.

Ligand-induced PDGF receptor activation induces auto-phosphorylation of the receptors, increasing kinase activity and creating docking sites for downstream signal transduction molecules. A number of signaling pathways are activated, leading to specific cellular responses. Signaling is modulated both positively and negatively, and both outside the cell through interactions with matrix molecules, and inside the cell through cross-talk with different signaling pathways.

PDGF has been shown to stimulate the production of several extracellular matrix molecules, including fibronectin, collagen, proteoglycans, and hyaluronic acid. Platelet-derived growth factor may also be important at later stages of wound healing, since it stimulates contraction of collagen matrices in vitro, suggesting a role in wound contraction in vivo. PDGF also stimulates collagenase production and secretion by fibroblasts, suggesting a role in the remodeling phase of wound healing.

Figure: The signaling pathway of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)  in vivo. (From Wang.; et al, 2022)

Question

Platelet-rich plasma is rich in growth factors and other stuff. If you have suffered damage in a part of your body and pain and discomfort are an everyday concern, go for it! But, as always, risk has to be balanced by benefit (or, even better, have the benefit outweigh the risk by a lot). Although PDGF was isolated from platelets, it also works in other organs, including the skin and scalp.

What would you rather use on your skin? Blood products, or pure synthetic proteins that have the anti-aging and healing effects of platelet-enriched plasma? Skin Active Proteins will soon be able to offer you the pure, highly active synthetic human (sh) PDGF-BB protein.

Write to us, and we will let you know when PDGF becomes available for purchase. The aim is to increase PDGF concentration in the affected tissue without involving blood components by applying pure protein in a suitable medium, such as a cream or serum.

Also Coming soon to Skin Active Proteins

Our Platelet Emulator is a combination of pure growth factor proteins that closely resemble the full complement of growth factors found in platelets, as present in medical procedures using autologous (derived from the individual’s own blood) platelet-enriched plasma. PDGF without the pain!

References

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Andrae J., Gallini R., and Betsholtz C., (2008) Role of Platelet‐Derived Growth Factors in Physiology and Medicine, Genes & Development 22, no. 10 (2008): 1276–1312. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

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Heldin C.-H., Wesermark, B. (1996) Role of Platelet-Derived Growth Factor In Vivo (2nd ed.), Clark R. A. F., 249-273 Plenum New York

Hollinger J. O., Hart C. E., Hirsch S. N., Lynch S. E., and Friedlaender G. E., “Recombinant Human Platelet‐Derived Growth Factor: Biology and Clinical Applications,” Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. American Volume 90, no. Suppl 1 (2008): 48–54, 10.2106/JBJS.G.01231

Jian, K., Yang, C., Li, T. et al. PDGF-BB-derived supramolecular hydrogel for promoting skin wound healing. J Nanobiotechnol 20, 201 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12951-022-01390-0

Li T, Lu H, Zhou L, Jia M, Zhang L, Wu H, Shan L. Growth factors-based platelet lysate rejuvenates skin against ageing through NF-κB signalling pathway: In vitro and in vivo mechanistic and clinical studies. Cell Prolif. 2022 Apr;55(4):e13212. doi: 10.1111/cpr.13212. Epub 2022 Mar 11. PMID: 35274780; PMCID: PMC9055903.

Lynch SE, Huxel ST, Bond R, Biron J, Gold M. Recombinant (2025) Pure PDGF Improves Aesthetic Results and Patient Satisfaction Following RF Microneedling: A Prospective, Randomized, Controlled Clinical Trial. J Cosmet Dermatol.;24:e70425. doi: 10.1111/jocd.70425. PMID: 40937942; PMCID: PMC12427151.

Lynch S. E., Nixon J. C., Colvin R. B., and Antoniades H. N., (1987) Role of Platelet‐Derived Growth Factor in Wound Healing: Synergistic Effects With Other Growth Factors, PNASUSA (1987): 7696–7700.

Malcangi, G.; Inchingolo, A.M.; Inchingolo, A.D.; Ferrante, L.; Latini, G.; Trilli, I.; Nardelli, P.; Longo, M.; Palermo, A.; Inchingolo, F.; et al. (2025)  The Role of Platelet Concentrates and Growth Factors in Facial Rejuvenation: A Systematic Review with Case Series. Medicina 61: 84. https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina61010084

Nevins M., Kao R. T., McGuire M. K., et al., “Platelet‐Derived Growth Factor Promotes Periodontal Regeneration in Localized Osseous Defects: 36‐Month Extension Results From a Randomized, Controlled, Double‐Masked Clinical Trial,” Journal of Periodontology 84, no. 4 (2013): 456–464.

Pierce G. F., Mustoe T. A., Altrock B. W., Deuel T. F., and Thomason A., (1991) Role of Platelet‐Derived Growth Factor in Wound Healing, Journal of Cellular Biochemistry 45: 319–326.

Robson M. C., Phillips L. G., Robson L. E., Thomason A., and Pierce G. F., (1992) Platelet‐Derived Growth Factor BB for the Treatment of Chronic Pressure Ulcers, Lancet 339: 23–25.

Santos LC, Lana GL, Santos GS, Visoni SBC, Brigagão RJ, Santos N, Sobreiro R, da Cruz Silva Reis A, Rodrigues BL, Ferrari S, Tambeli CH, Lana JF. The Biological Role of Platelet Derivatives in Regenerative Aesthetics. Int J Mol Sci. 2024 May 21;25(11):5604. doi: 10.3390/ijms25115604. PMID: 38891792; PMCID: PMC11172268.

Wang J, Xiao L, Wang W, Zhang D, Ma Y, Zhang Y, Wang X. (2022) The Auxiliary Role of Heparin in Bone Regeneration and its Application in Bone Substitute Materials. Front Bioeng Biotechnol. ;10:837172. doi: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.837172. PMID: 35646879; PMCID: PMC9133562.