Growth factor

Growth factor is a naturally occurring substance capable of stimulating cellular growth, proliferation, healing, and cellular differentiation. Usually it is a protein or a steroid hormone. Growth factors are important for regulating a variety of cellular processes.

Growth factors typically act as signaling molecules between cells. Examples are cytokines and hormones that bind to specific receptors on the surface of their target cells.

They often promote cell differentiation and maturation, which varies between growth factors. For example, Bone morphogenetic proteins stimulate bone cell differentiation, while fibroblast growth factors and vascular endothelial growth factors stimulate blood vessel differentiation (angiogenesis).

Types of growth factors

There are many types of growth factors, including:

• Epidermal growth factor (EGF)
• Fibroblast growth factor (FGF)
• Insulin-like growth factors (IGFs)
• Nerve growth factor (NGF)
• Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)
• Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)
• Colony-stimulating factor (CSF)
• Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)
• Transforming growth factor (TGF)
• Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMP)

Role in disease

Growth factors play a role in the regulation of disease processes, including inflammation, cancer, and wound healing. Over-expression of certain growth factors can lead to uncontrolled cell proliferation, leading to a disease such as cancer.

See also

• Cytokine
• Hormone
• Receptor (biochemistry)
• Signal transduction