Changes in growth factor levels in human wound fluid.

BACKGROUND It has been suggested that platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) plays a central role in wound healing. Analysis of human wound fluid revealed the presence of PDGF AA (30 kd) and monocyte/macrophage-derived growth factor (MDGF) (12 to 14 kd) in the immediate postoperative period. METHODS The amount of PDGF AA present was assayed by Western blot analysis. The chemotactic and mitogenic potential of purified wound fluid containing PDGF AA and MDGF was determined on a responsive cell line. The biologic activity of MDGF was assayed with a cell line that is unresponsive to the PDGF AA found in wound fluid. RESULTS Both the concentration and the biologic activity were highest in the immediate postoperative period and declined to negligible levels by 24 hours after surgery. The chemotactic activity of MDGF was highest in the immediate postoperative period and declined during the first 24 hours in a manner similar to that of the combined PDGF AA and MDGF activity. CONCLUSIONS These data demonstrate the changing levels of PDGF and MDGF in human wound fluid over time, supporting the cascade model of wound repair. By demonstrating that MDGF acts on cell lines unresponsive to the PDGF AA found in wound fluid, these data suggest that MDGF may also play an important role in wound healing.