PDGFRβ

PDGFRβ is a cell-surface receptor tyrosine kinase that organizes PDGF-B/PDGFRβ signaling in vascular mural cells[1]. Mechanistically, ligand binding drives PDGFRβ dimerization and autophosphorylation, creating docking sites for SH2-domain signaling proteins that regulate proliferation, migration, matrix deposition, and early gene induction[2]. In mouse embryonic vessels, endothelial PDGF-B recruits PDGFRβ-positive vascular smooth muscle cells/pericytes, supporting vessel growth and mural-cell coverage[1]. In adult mouse brain, PDGFRβ expression is restricted to pericytes rather than neurons, astrocytes, or endothelial cells, making it useful for pericyte-focused experimental models[3]. Compared with PDGFRα, PDGFRβ shows distinct ligand preference because PDGF-D activates PDGFRβ but not PDGFRα in cells expressing individual receptors[4]. For experimental applications, imatinib and crenolanib inhibit PDGF-induced PDGFR autophosphorylation, enabling pathway-blockade studies in PDGFRB-dependent cellular models[5].