Unilateral pneumonectomy leads to compensatory growth in the residual lung, the mediators of which are largely unknown. We hypothesized, based on its other known roles in lung cell growth, that platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB would be an essential mediator of postpneumonectomy compensatory lung growth. Left-sided pneumonectomies were performed on 21-d-old rats, for comparison with sham-operated or unoperated control animals. Body weights were not different between groups. Right lung weights and DNA content were significantly increased (p < 0.05), compared with controls, by 10 d after pneumonectomy. The rate of DNA synthesis was maximal on d 5 postpneumonectomy. Total right lung PDGF-B mRNA and PDGF-BB protein increased after pneumonectomy, but were apparently tightly regulated, relative to total right lung beta-actin mRNA and protein content, respectively. However, PDGF-BB expression after pneumonectomy was apparently not purely constitutive, in that daily i.p. injections of a truncated soluble PDGF beta-receptor both reduced activation of the native PDGF beta-receptor, and attenuated increased lung DNA synthesis on d 3 after pneumonectomy. These findings are consistent with a critical role for PDGF-BB in postpneumonectomy lung growth.