Abstract: objective To study the effect of platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGFBBB) on rat corpus cavernosum smooth
muscle (CCSM) cell proliferation, migration and phenotypic modulation and explore the underlying mechanisms. Methods
Wistar rat CCSM cells were obtained through a modified tissue culture method and identified by immunofluorescence assay.
The effect of PDGFBB on the proliferation of CCSM cells was investigated using a CCK-8 kit and the optimum PDGFBB
concentration for cell treatment was determined. CCSM cells were treated with vehicle or PDGF-BB at the optimum
concentration, and the cell migration was examined using scratch assay; the mRNA expression of the transcription factor
myocardin and the contractile phenotype markers α-SMA and SMMHC in CCSM cells were determined by qRT-PCR at 24 h
and 48 h. The protein expression of myocardin in CCSM cells incubated with PDGFBB for 0, 24 and 48 h was examined by
Western blotting. Result In CCSM cell culture, 96.5% and 96% of the cells were positive for α-SMA and smoothelin,
respectively. PDGFBB at different concentrations markedly promoted the proliferation of CCSM cells; the optimum PDGFBB
concentration for enhancing cell proliferation was 12.5 ng/mL, which induced the migration of CCSM cells and significantly
reduced the mRNA expressions of myocardin, α-SMA and SMMHC (P<0.01). Exposure to PDGFBB decreased the protein
expression of myocardin as the exposure time extended (within 48 h). Conclusion CCSM cells of a high purity can be obtained
by the modified tissue culture method. PDGFBB can promote the proliferation and migration of CCSM cells and cause a
phenotypic conversion from the contractile to the synthetic type possibly by down-regulating myocardin.