A growth factor is a naturally occurring protein capable of stimulating cellular growth, proliferation, healing, and cellular differentiation.
Growth factors are regulators
Growth factors determine the fate of cells as they differentiate from being progenitors into their mature differentiated state. Examples of growth factors relevant to orthopaedics include TGF-beta (transforming growth factor beta), CTGF (connective tissue growth factor) and FGF (fibroblast growth factor).
CLINICAL PUBLICATIONS
Engineering growth factors for regenerative medicine applications. Mitchell AC, Briquez PS, Hubbell JA and Cochran JR. Acta Biomater. 2016 Jan; 30: 1–12.
Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF/CCN2) in haemophilic arthropathy and arthrofibrosis: a histological analysis. Jiang J, Leong NL, Khalique U, Phan TM, Lyons KM, Luck JV Jr. Haemophilia. 2016 Nov;22(6):e527-e536. doi: 10.1111/hae.13049. Epub 2016 Oct 5.