Epidermal Growth Factors were discovered in 1972 by Stanley Cohen of Vanderbilt University.
Since that time scientific discoveries and research has continued in Growth Factor Technology (GF) and their use in the medical field. It was discovered that when a highly concentrated level of Growth Factors taken from human fibroblasts were applied to the skin, they aided in the reduction of the appearance of scars, supported the skin during post procedure recovery and where shown to be effective in shortening the recovery time of burn wounds and skin grafts.
A growth factor is a naturally occurring substance capable of stimulating cellular growth,(1) proliferation and cellular differentiation. Usually it is a protein. 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 fibroblast growth factors and vascular endothelial growth factors stimulate blood vessel differentiation (angiogenesis).
Growth Factor Summary: Growth Factors are proteins that bind to receptors on the cell surface, with the primary result of activating cellular proliferation and/or differentiation.
- Chemical messengers between cells
- Turn a variety of cellular activities “on” and “off”
- Involved in cell division, new cell and blood vessel growth, and collagen and elastin production and distribution
Growth factors help determine the health of a cell. Then they either….. Repair a damaged cell, Recruit other cells to assist in the repair or Kill the damaged cell
We can refer to this activity as “Chemical Messaging” or “Key Signaling” between Cells.