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Growth factor
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<p>A growth factor is a naturally occurring substance capable of stimulating <a href="/facts/Cell_proliferation/Jp3hWo2t">cell proliferation</a>, <a href="/facts/Wound_healing/3NlzV5Qn">wound healing</a>, and occasionally <a href="/facts/Cellular_differentiation/bCVqUG7w">cellular differentiation</a>. Usually it is a secreted <a href="/facts/Protein/Jxmagu3E">protein</a> or a <a href="/facts/Steroid_hormone/WDtHmcTl">steroid hormone</a>. Growth factors are important for regulating a variety of cellular processes. </p><p>Growth factors typically act as <a href="/facts/Cell_signaling/6oYAVP9I">signaling</a> molecules between cells. Examples are <a href="/facts/Cytokine/SdWpWABH">cytokines</a> and <a href="/facts/Hormone/WFnBnINJ">hormones</a> that bind to specific <a href="/facts/Receptor_(biochemistry)/tjTAC76a">receptors</a> on the surface of their target <a href="/facts/Cell_(biology)/bLM9UQvy">cells</a>. </p><p>They often promote cell differentiation and maturation, which varies between growth factors. For example, <a href="/facts/Epidermal_growth_factor/CpyH5tYs">epidermal growth factor</a> (EGF) enhances osteogenic differentiation (<a href="/facts/Osteogenesis/N6mMDQvR">osteogenesis</a> or bone formation), while <a href="/facts/Fibroblast_growth_factor/eC48LP3g">fibroblast growth factors</a> and <a href="/facts/Vascular_endothelial_growth_factor/kNDc0Xj0">vascular endothelial growth factors</a> stimulate blood vessel differentiation (<a href="/facts/Angiogenesis/h0HF9IUd">angiogenesis</a>). </p>