The expression of platelet-derived growth factor(PDGF)-BB and PDGF receptor-beta(PDGFR-beta) in liver tissues from viral hepatitis was detected by immunohistochemistry. The results showed that the expression of PDGF-BB and PDGFR-beta in the liver tissues correlated closely with the degree of liver fibrosis. The levels of their expression in the liver cirrhosis and fibrosis stage S3-4 of chronic viral hepatitis(CH) were much higher than those in acute viral hepatitis and fibrosis stage S0-2 of CH. Meanwhile, the expression of PDGF and its receptor was associated with the expression of desmin-positive cells pro-collagen III peptide in liver tissues and tissue inhibitor of metalloprotenase-1 in serum. It is suggested that PDGF-BB and its receptor-beta may promote the progress of liver fibrosis by means of the activation, proliferation and differentiation of satellite cells.