Abstract: Objective:To establish an easy, not depending on advanced laboratory apparatus method to isolate and culture rat pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs), and to explore the effects of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) on cell proliferation and migration. Methods:The right ventricle was perfused with the mixture of iron, agarose, and the PASMCs and iron could adhere to agarose. The iron-con-taining tissue would move to side of the tube next to the magnet and could be digested by collagenase I. By the method, vessel-containing tissue could be attained. With 3-4 weeks' purification, the PASMCs could be obtained. The PASMCs morphology was observed by an inverted micro-scope, and identified by immunocytochemistry and immunofluorescence. The effects of PDGF on cell proliferation and migration was detected by MTT assay and scratch wound assay. Results:14 days、21 days and primary culture after isolation, the PASMCs was identified, and the re-sult showed that isolation and primary culture of the cells were PASMCs. Compared with the cells with no stimulation, the proliferation of PASMCs exposed to PDGF was increased significantly(P<0.05), and scratch wound assay demonstrated that PDGF induced the significant increase of migration of PASMCs. Conclusion:This method to isolate and culture rat PASMCs is simple, not depending on advanced laborato-ry. PDGF can promote the proliferation and migration of PASMCs.

Key words: pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells, rat, isolation, primary cell culture