Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) refers to a family of disulphide-bonded dimeric isoforms that are important for growth and survival, and which function in several types of connective tissue cell. There are four members of the platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) family: PDGF-A, PDGF-B, PDGF-C and PDGF-D (spinal cord-derived growth factor-B or iris-expressed growth factor). Their biological effects are mediated via two tyrosine kinase receptors, PDGFR-α and PDGFR-β. PDGF-mediated signaling is critical for development of many organ systems. PDGF-D has a two-domain structure similar to PDGF-C and is secreted as a disulphide-linked homodimer, PDGF-DD. Upon limited proteolysis, PDGF-DD is activated and becomes a specific agonistic ligand for PDGFR-β. PDGF-D is expressed in fibroblastic adventitial cells, cultured endothelial cells and in a variety of tumor cell lines.