About Growth Factors:

Growth Factor is a protein molecule made by the body; it functions to regulate cell division & cell survival. Growth factors can also be produced by genetic engineering in the laboratory and used in biological therapy.

Growth factors bind to receptors on the cell surface, with the result of activating cellular proliferation and/or differentiation. Growth factors are quite versatile, stimulating cellular division in numerous different cell types; while others are specific to a particular cell-type. Growth factors are proteins that promote cell growth.

Growth factors are proteins that function as growth stimulators (mitogens) and/or growth inhibitors, stimulate cell migration, act as chemotactic agents, inhibit cell migration, inhibit invasion of tumor cells, modulate differentiated functions of cells, involved in apoptosis, involved in angiogenesis and promote survival of cells without influencing growth and differentiation.

Growth factors secret diffusible factors that are identified in the conditioned medium of cell cultures. Growth factors are present in membrane-anchored forms. Growth factors act in an autocrine, paracrine, juxtacrine or retrocrine manner.

Usually researchers use the term growth factors as a synonym for cytokines.

Examples for Growth Factors are EGF, FGF, NGF, PDGF, VEGF, IGF, GMCSF, GCSF, TGF, Erythropieitn, TPO, BMP, HGF, GDF, Neurotrophins, MSF, SGF, GDF and more.

Hematopoietic growth factors are hormone-like substances that stimulate bone marrow to produce blood cells. Shortages of blood cells cause most of the symptoms in people with MDS, the use of growth factors is very appealing. Studies have tested several growth factors in patients with MDS, such as granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) and granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF).

Erythropoietin is a growth factor which promotes red blood cell production. Recently it has been found that combining erythropoietin with G-CSF improves the response to the erythropoietin. Interleukin-11 (IL-11) stimulates platelet production after chemotherapy. Current studies try to find the best way to predict which growth factors will treat new diseases and the best way to combine growth factors with each other and with other treatments, such as chemotherapy or hormones.

Growth factors produce extra stem cells before a stem cell harvest. Chemotherapy kills off healthy white blood cells, as well as the leukaemic ones, therefore there is risk of infection while white cell count is low. Low level of white cells is called ‘neutropenia’. Early research of growth factors shown that, while growth factors help the white cell count to recover, they actually don’t make much difference to the number of infections.

Growth Factors are biologically active poly-peptides which function as hormone like regulatory signals, controlling the growth and differentiation of responsive cells. The distinction between growth factors and hormones is frequently arbitrary.

The sequence of amino acids permits growth factors to be placed into families, suggesting that they evolved from a single ancestral protein. The insulin family comprises somatemedins A and C, insulin, insulinlike growth factor (IGF), and multiplication-stimulating factor (MSF). A 2nd family consists of sarcoma growth factor (SGF), transforming growth factors (TGFs), and epidermal growth factor (EGF). In addition, there are growth factors, such as nerve growth factor (NGF), fibroblast growth factor (FGF), and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), for which structural homologs have not been identified.

Stimulation of cell proliferation growth factors is similar to the rapid cell proliferation characteristic of tumor cells. Growth factor receptors are similar to the tumor-causing proteins produced by several RNA tumor viruses. Platelet-derived growth factor ( PDGF) is virtually identical to the tumor-causing protein of the RNA tumor virus, simian sarcoma virus.

Growth Factors are involved in cell differentiation and are essential to normal cell cycle, and are thus vital elements in the life of animals from conception to death. Growth Factors mediate fetal development, play a role in maintenance and repair of tissues, stimulate production of blood cells & participate in cancerous processes.

List of EGF proteins:
EGF
EGF-1
EGF-2
EGF-3
Epidermal Growth Factor
HMGF
Human milk growth factor
PGF
Prostatic growth factor
Urogastrone

List of FGF proteins:
FGF
FGF-1
FGF-1.A
FGF-1.B
FGF-1.C
FGF-1.D
FGF-1.G
FGF-2
FGF-3
FGF-4
FGF-5
FGF-5S
FGF-6
FGF-7
KGF-1
KGF-2
KGF F
FGF-8
FGF-8a
FGF-8b
FGF-8c
FGF-8d
FGF-8e
FGF-8f
FGF-8g
FGF-8h
FGF8-like-1
FGF8-like-2
FGF-9
FGF-10
FGF-11
FGF-12
FGF-12b
FGF-13
FGF-14
FGF-15
FGF-16
FGF-17
FGF-17b
FGF-18
FGF-19
FGF-20
FGF-21
FGF-22
FGF-23
FGF-alpha
FGF acidic
FGF basic
FGF-beta
FGFBP1
FGFBP2
FGFBP3
FGF-C
Fibroblast growth factor-1
Fibroblast growth factor-2
Fibroblast growth factor-3
Fibroblast growth factor-4
Fibroblast growth factor-5
Fibroblast growth factor-5S
Fibroblast growth factor-6
Fibroblast growth factor-7
Fibroblast growth factor-8
Fibroblast growth factor-8a
Fibroblast growth factor-8b
Fibroblast growth factor-8c
Fibroblast growth factor-8d
Fibroblast growth factor-8e
Fibroblast growth factor-8f
Fibroblast growth factor-8g
Fibroblast growth factor-8h
Fibroblast growth factor-9
Fibroblast growth factor-10
Fibroblast growth factor-11
Fibroblast growth factor-12
Fibroblast growth factor-12b
Fibroblast growth factor-13
Fibroblast growth factor-14
Fibroblast growth factor-15
Fibroblast growth factor-16
Fibroblast growth factor-17
Fibroblast growth factor-17b
Fibroblast growth factor-18
Fibroblast growth factor-19
Fibroblast growth factor-20
Fibroblast growth factor-21
Fibroblast growth factor-22
Fibroblast growth factor-23
Fibroblast growth factor-alpha
Fibroblast growth factor-beta
Fibroblast growth factor binding proteins
Fibroblast growth factor homologous factor-1
Fibroblast growth factor homologous factor-2
Fibroblast growth factor homologous factor-3
Fibroblast growth factor homologous factor-4
Fibroblast growth factor homologous factors
Fibroblast growth factor-inducible-14
Fibroblast growth factor receptor-1
Fibroblast growth factor receptor-2
Fibroblast growth factor receptor-3
Fibroblast growth factor receptor-4
Fibroblast growth factor receptor-5
Fibroblast growth factor receptor ligand
Fibroblast growth factor receptor ligand-1
Fibroblast growth factor receptor ligand-2
Fibroblast growth factor receptor-like-1

List of PDGF proteins:
PDGF
PDGF-1
PDGF-2
PDGF-A
PDGF-AA
PDGF-AB
PDGF-associated protein
PDGF-B
PDGF-BB
PDGF-C
PDGF-CC
PDGF-D
FDGF
GDGF
Glioma-derived growth factor
GDGF-1
GDGF-2
GSM
MDF
Mesangial cell proliferating factor
MDGF
Monocyte-derived growth factor
OBIF
Osteoblastogenesis inhibitory factor
ODGF
Osteosarcoma-derived growth factor
T47D factor

List of CSF proteins:
Alpha-CSF
BBPA
Beta-CSF
CCL-185
CCSF
CFC
CFU-G
CFU-GM
CFU-M
Chondrocyte colony stimulating factor
CLE
CMGF
Colony inhibitory factor
Colony promoting factor
Colony stimulating factor box
Colony stimulating factor-1
Colony stimulating factor-2
Colony stimulating factor-2-alpha
Colony stimulating factor-2-beta
Colony stimulating factor-2-gamma
Colony stimulating factor-3
Colony stimulating factor-309
Colony stimulating factor-4
Colony stimulating factor-alpha
Colony stimulating factor-beta
Colony-forming unit stimulating activity
CPACSA
CSF box
CSF-1
CSF-2
CSF-2-alpha
CSF-2-beta
CSF-2-gamma
CSF-3
CSF-309
CSF-4
CSF-alpha
CSF-beta
CSF-Eo
CSF-G
CSF-GM
CSF-HU
CSF-M
ECSA
E-CSF
ECSF
EL4
Eo-CSF
Eosinophil colony stimulating factor
EPA
Erythrocyte colony stimulation factor
Erythroid colony stimulating factor
Erythropoiesis stimulating factor
FDCP1 growth factor
FDCP1
FsF
G-CFC
G-CSA
G-CSF
GM/SO
GM-CSA
GM-CSF
GM-DF
GM-EF
GNFS-60
Granulocyte colony stimulating factor
Granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor
GRMFT
Hematopoietic colony stimulating factor-309
HL-60
HSF
IGF
KG-1
L-cell colony stimulating factor
L-cell CSF
LIF
MAF
MaGEF
M-CSF
Megakaryocyte colony stimulating factor
MGF
MGI
Mk-CSF
Multi-colony stimulating factor
Multi-CSF
Multipoietin
Neutrophil-derived colony inhibitory factor
Neutrophil-granulocyte colony stimulating factor
NIM-1
O-CSF
Osteoclast colony stimulating factor
PCSF
pIXY321
Pluripoietin
Somatostatin
TNF-alpha
Urinary colony stimulating factor

List of EPO proteins:
Ep
EPA
Epoetin alfa
Epogen
ERC
Erythropoietic factor
Erythropoietin
EPO-alpha
EPO-beta
ECSA
Erythroid colony stimulating activity
ESF
Erythropoiesis stimulating factor

List of GDF proteins:
Embryonic growth/differentiation factor
GDF
GDF10
GDF11
GDF15
GDF16
GDF3
GDF5
GDF6
GDF7
GDF8
GDF9
GDF9B
Growth/differentiation factor-1
Growth/differentiation factor-10
Growth/differentiation factor-11
Growth/differentiation factor-15
Growth/differentiation factor-3
Growth/differentiation factor-5
Growth/differentiation factor-6
Growth/differentiation factor-7
Growth/differentiation factor-8
Growth/differentiation factor-9
Growth/differentiation factor-9B

List of Growth Hormone proteins:
GH
GH1
GHN
Ghrelin
GH-RF
GHRH
granulosa cells
GRF
Growth hormone 1
Growth hormone 2
Growth hormone normal
Growth hormone releasing factor
Growth hormone releasing hormone
GRP
Somatolactin
Somatoliberin
Somatomedins
Somatostatin
Somatotropes
Somatotropic hormone
Somatotropin releasing factor
Somatotropin releasing hormone
Somatotropin
Growth hormone dependent binding protein
Growth hormone independent binding protein
Growth hormone-inhibiting hormone
GHBP
Growth Hormone binding protein
Growth hormone release inhibitory hormone
Growth hormone secretagogue receptor
Growth hormone variant
Growth hormone variant 2
Growth hormone variant 3

List of HGF proteins:
Hepatocyte growth factor activator
Hepatocyte growth factor
Hepatocyte growth factor-1/macrophage stimulating protein
Hepatoma growth factor
Hepatotropin
HGF activator inhibitor type 1
HGF activator inhibitor type 2
HGF activator inhibitor
HGF activator
HGF/NK1
HGF/NK2
HGF/NK4
HGF/SF
HGF1/MST
HGF1, HGFA
HGF-like protein

List of IGF proteins:
IGF
Insulin-like growth factor
Erythropoietic factor
IGF-1
Growth-promoting activity for vascular endothelial cells
IGF-2
MSA
multiplication stimulating activity
NSILA
non-suppressible insulin-like activity
Somatomedin
SF
sulfation factor
SFA
sulfation factor activity
SGF
skeletal growth factor
SMP
somatomedin/insulin-like growth factor-like polypeptides
T3M-11-derived growth factor
mechano growth factor
MGF
IGF-1A
IGF-1B
IGF-1 Ea
IGF-1 Eb
IGF binding protein related protein-1
IGF binding protein related protein-2
IGF binding protein related protein-3
IGF binding protein related protein-4
IGF binding protein related protein 10
IGFBP
IGFBP1
IGFBP2
IGFBP3
IGFBP4
IGFBP5
IGFBP6
IGFBP7
IGFBP8
IGFBP10
IGFBPrP1
IGFBPrP2
IGFBPrP3
IGFBPrP4
IGFBPrP10

List of Prolactin proteins:
Prolactin
PRL
PRLR
lactogenic hormone
lactotropin
lactotropic hormone
mammotropin
mammotropic hormone
luteotropic hormone
LTH
luteotropin
prolactin-binding protein
Prolactin-like protein-A
Prolactin-like protein-B
Prolactin-like protein-C
Prolactin-like protein-C alpha
Prolactin-like protein-C beta
Prolactin-like protein-C delta
Prolactin-like protein-C gamma
prolactin-like protein C-related protein
Prolactin-like protein-C variant
Prolactin-like protein-D
prolactin-like protein E
Prolactin-like protein-F
Prolactin-like protein-G
Prolactin-like protein-H
Prolactin-like protein-I
Prolactin-like protein-J
Prolactin-like protein-K
Prolactin-like protein-L
Prolactin-like protein-M
Prolactin-like protein-N
Prolactin-like protein-O

List of SCF proteins:
HLGF-1
hemolymphopoietic growth factor-1
KL (kit ligand)
MC/9
Cell growth-promoting factor (MC/9-GF)
MGF
multipotent growth factor
mast cell growth factor
SCGF
stem cell growth factor
SLF
steel factor
scf
stem cell factor
SCF-1
SCF-2

List of TGF proteins:
TGF
TGF2
TGF-alpha
TGF-B
TGF-B1
TGF-B2
TGF-B3
TGF-beta
TGF-beta-1
TGF-beta-1 induced anti-apoptotic factor-1
TGF-beta-1 inhibitory element
TGF-beta-2
TGF-beta-3
TGF-beta-4
TGF-beta-5
TGF-beta homolog-1
TGF-beta homolog-2
TGF-beta induced factor 2
TGF-beta-inducible early-response gene
TGF-beta-inducible early-response gene-1
TGF-beta-inducible early-response gene-2
TGF-beta-inducible early-response gene-3
TGF-beta-inducible gene M1
TGF-beta-inducible gene M2
TGF-beta-inducible gene H3
TGF-beta masking protein
TGF-beta-stimulated clone-22
TGF-beta-stimulated clone-36
TGF-gamma
TGFe
TGF-LAP
Aqueous humor lymphocyte inhibitory activity
CIF-A
Cartilage inducing factor A
CIF-B
Cartilage inducing factor B
DIF
Differentiation-inhibiting factor
DSF
Decidual suppressor factor
EGI
Epithelial cell-specific growth inhibitor
Epithelial growth inhibitor
EIF
Epstein-Barr virus inducing factor
Epithelial cell growth inhibiting factor
G-TsF
Glioma-derived T-cell suppressor factor
ISF
Immunosuppressive factor
MDGF
Milk-derived growth factor
MGF
Milk growth factor
MGF-a
MGF-b
PDGI
Platelet-derived endothelial cell growth inhibitor
Polyergin
Simian BSC-1 cell growth inhibitor
SP factor
TCGF
Transformed cell growth factor
TGI
Tissue-derived growth inhibitor
TIF-1
Tumor inducing factor-1

List of VEGF proteins:
VEGF
VEGF-1
VEGF-2
VEGF-3
VEGF-115
VEGF-120
VEGF-121
VEGF-138
VEGF-145
VEGF-148
VEGF-162
VEGF-164
VEGF-165
VEGF-165b
VEGF-165R
VEGF-183
VEGF-188
VEGF-189
VEGF-206
VEGF-A
VEGF-B
VEGF-B(167)
VEGF-B(186)
VEGF-C
VEGF-C(156S)
VEGF co-regulated chemokine 1
VEGF-D
VEGF-E
VEGF-F
VEGFR1
VEGFR2
VEGFR3
VEGF-Trap
GD-VEGF
glioma-derived vascular endothelial growth factor
Mouse sarcoma 180-derived growth factor
VAS
Vasculotropin
Vascular endothelial cell proliferation factor
VPF
vascular permeability factor