[Research advances of platelet derived growth factor family and its significance in neovascular eye diseases].

Platelet derived growth factor (PDGF) is a family of peliotropic growth factors that regulate cell proliferation and differentiation in an autocrine or paracrine manner through receptor mediated signal transduction pathways. Recent studies have demonstrated that PDGF plays an important role in ocular neovascularization, and the application of PDGF has a broad prospect in treatment of ocular neovascularization. Here, we summarize the current understanding of structure, function and expression of PDGF in the eye; the effects of PDGF on the blood vessel forming cells, as well as the interaction between PDGF and other pro-angiogenic factors. In addition, the role of PDGF in neovascular eye diseases, including retinopathy of prematurity, diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, corneal neovascularization, and neovascular glaucoma, is also discussed.