Alpha 2-Macroglobulin (alpha 2M) is a multifunctional secreted glycoprotein that serves as a ubiquitous proteinase inhibitor and as a binding protein for platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) BB and homologues of PDGF-BB secreted in culture by macrophages. The interaction of alpha 2M with PDGF-A chain molecules has not been addressed. This is a potentially important issue because fibroblasts and smooth muscle cells produce PDGF-AA, whereas macrophages produce mainly PDGF-BB. Recombinant human 125I-PDGF-B chain molecules (AB and BB) bound to plasma-derived, native human, or bovine alpha 2M and trypsin-activated alpha 2M on Superose 6 fast protein liquid chromatography gel filtration and on nondenaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, whereas 125I-PDGF-AA did not. Similar results were obtained with 125I-PDGF isoforms binding to immobilized bovine alpha 2M and alpha 2M-methylamine. The same differential pattern of unlabeled PDGF isoforms binding to alpha 2M was observed by Western blotting of PDGF. Human lung fibroblasts secreted alpha 2M as measured by Western blotting, and fibroblast-derived alpha 2M possessed the same differential binding pattern for PDGF isoforms as did plasma-derived alpha 2M. The specific binding of PDGF-AB and -BB to these fibroblasts was inhibited by native bovine alpha 2M, although PDGF-AA binding was not affected. Native alpha 2M preferentially blocked fibroblast chemotaxis to the PDGF-B chain dimers. These data suggest that only PDGF-B chain dimers, such as those produced by macrophages or released from platelets, are regulated by alpha 2M and that PDGF-AA produced by fibroblasts and smooth muscle cells is not controlled by this cytokine-binding protein.