Wu, ErxiPalmer, NathanTian, ZeMoseman, Annie P.Galdzicki, MichalWang, XuetaoBerger, BonnieZhang, HongbingKohane, Isaac2011-02-212008Wu, Erxi, Nathan Palmer, Ze Tian, Annie P. Moseman, Michal Galdzicki, Xuetao Wang, Bonnie Berger, Hongbing Zhang, and Isaac S. Kohane. 2008. Comprehensive Dissection of PDGF-PDGFR Signaling Pathways in PDGFR Genetically Defined Cells. PLoS ONE 3(11): e3794.1932-6203http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.InstRepos:4728514Despite the growing understanding of PDGF signaling, studies of PDGF function have encountered two major obstacles: the functional redundancy of PDGFRα and PDGFRβ in vitro and their distinct roles in vivo. Here we used wild-type mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEF), MEF null for either PDGFRα, β, or both to dissect PDGF-PDGFR signaling pathways. These four PDGFR genetically defined cells provided us a platform to study the relative contributions of the pathways triggered by the two PDGF receptors. They were treated with PDGF-BB and analyzed for differential gene expression, in vitro proliferation and differential response to pharmacological effects. No genes were differentially expressed in the double null cells, suggesting minimal receptor-independent signaling. Protean differentiation and proliferation pathways are commonly regulated by PDGFRα, PDGFRβ and PDGFRα/β while each receptor is also responsible for regulating unique signaling pathways. Furthermore, some signaling is solely modulated through heterodimeric PDGFRα/β.en-UScell biologycell signalinggene expressionJournal Article2011-02-2110.1371/journal.pone.0003794