A gain-of-function mutation in the PDGFR-β alters the kinetics of injury response in liver and skin

Platelet- derived growth factor (PDGF) isoforms stimulate cell proliferation, migration and survival. We recently generated mice carrying a gain-of-function mutation within the activation loop of PDGF beta-receptor (PDGFR-beta D849N). Embryonic fibroblasts derived from these mice show elevated basal phosphorylation and altered kinetics for ligand-induced activation of PDGFR-beta, as well as enhanced proliferation and migration. To investigate the effect of this mutation in vivo, we used carbon tetrachloride-induced liver injury as a model system. We observed a higher basal activation of mutant PDGFR-beta in unchallenged livers; however, the difference in activation upon carbon tetrachloride stimulation was lower than expected, an effect that might be explained by a delayed response of the mutated receptor toward reactive oxygen species. Mutant mice showed enhanced proliferation of nonparenchymal liver cells and activation of hepatic stellate cells, leading to a small increase in early fibrosis formation. Another mouse strain lacking the binding site for phosphatidylinositol-3' kinase in PDGFR-beta showed the reverse phenotype. These results suggest an important role for PDGFR-beta signaling in the early injury-response. We confirmed this hypothesis with a second injury model, cutaneous wound healing, where we observed earlier proliferation and formation of granulation tissue in D849N-mutant mice.