Activity of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) in platelet concentrates and cryopreserved platelets determined by PDGF bioassay.

The bioassay of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) in platelets was established using the rat fibroblast cell line 3Y1. 3Y1 cells (5 X 10(3)/well) were cultured in 24-well microculture plates with RPMI 1640 medium using 1% of PDGF-free serum and 5% of platelet extracts for 4 days. Cell proliferation was measured by the increase of DNA content. This assay made it possible to measure the biological PDGF activity. PDGF activity of platelet concentrates kept the same level as that of fresh platelet samples during preservation for up to 120 h at 22 degrees C; cryopreserved platelets also retained PDGF activity well.