Editing Growth factor (section)

{{short description|Protein or other substance that stimulates cellular proliferation}}
{{redirect|Growth factors|the journal|Growth Factors (journal)}}
{{more citations needed|date=February 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2020}}

A '''growth factor''' is a naturally occurring substance capable of stimulating [[cell proliferation]], [[wound healing]], and occasionally [[cellular differentiation]].<ref>{{DorlandsDict|three/000038554|growth factor}}</ref> Usually it is a secreted [[protein]] or a [[steroid hormone]]. Growth factors are important for regulating a variety of cellular processes.

Growth factors typically act as [[cell signaling|signaling]] molecules between cells. Examples are [[cytokine]]s and [[hormone]]s that bind to specific [[receptor (biochemistry)|receptors]] on the surface of their target [[cell (biology)|cells]].

They often promote cell differentiation and maturation, which varies between growth factors. For example, [[epidermal growth factor]] (EGF) enhances osteogenic differentiation ([[osteogenesis]] or bone formation),<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Del Angel-Mosqueda C, Gutiérrez-Puente Y, López-Lozano AP, Romero-Zavaleta RE, Mendiola-Jiménez A, Medina-De la Garza CE, Márquez-M M, De la Garza-Ramos MA | title = Epidermal growth factor enhances osteogenic differentiation of dental pulp stem cells in vitro | journal = Head & Face Medicine | volume = 11 | pages = 29 | date = September 2015 | pmid = 26334535 | doi = 10.1186/s13005-015-0086-5 | pmc = 4558932 | doi-access = free }}</ref> while [[fibroblast growth factor]]s and [[vascular endothelial growth factor]]s stimulate blood vessel differentiation ([[angiogenesis]]).

{{anchor|cytokine}}