Non-human transgenic animals overexpressing PDGF-C and cells thereof have been created. The transgenic animals contain a nucleotide sequence that encodes for platelet derived growth factor C (PDGF-C) or an analog thereof, or a functional fragment of PDGF-C or analog thereof. These animals are useful for studying disease states characterized by overexpression of PDGF-C, as well as useful for evaluating therapies intended to treat such diseases.