Growth factors and Differentiation factors
Growth and differentiation factors play a crucial role in stem cell development, proliferation and differentiation. They regulate cell signaling pathways and influence stem cell fate decisions. Here are some of the main growth and differentiation factors used in stem cell research:
- Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF): Stimulates proliferation of epithelial cells and epidermal stem cells.
- Fibroblast Growth Factor (FGF): Induces proliferation and differentiation in various cell types, including stem cells.
- Hepatocyte Growth Factor (HGF): Promotes proliferation and regeneration of liver cells and liver stem cells.
- Nerve Growth Factor (NGF): Plays a role in the survival and differentiation of neurons and neural stem cells.
- Transforming Growth Factor (TGF-β): Regulates proliferation, differentiation and migration in various cell types, including stem cells.
- Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF): Promotes endothelial cell growth and the formation of new blood vessels.
- Insulin: plays a role in cell growth and metabolism, including stem cells.
- All-Trans-Retinoic Acid (ATRA): Induces differentiation of stem cells into specific cells, such as embryonic stem cells into nerve cells.
- BMP (Bone Morphogenetic Protein): Induces differentiation of stem cells into bone and cartilage cells.
- Wnt Proteins: regulate the differentiation of stem cells into various cell lineages, including intestinal stem cells.
- Notch Ligands: Play a role in cell differentiation by influencing the decision between proliferation and differentiation.
- Neurotrophins: Induce the differentiation of neural stem cells into neurons and glial cells.
- Myostatin: Regulates the differentiation of stem cells into muscle cells.
- EPO (Erythropoietin): Stimulates the differentiation of stem cells into blood cells, notably red blood cells.
- G-CSF (Granulocyte-Colony Stimulating Factor): Promotes differentiation of stem cells into blood cells, notably neutrophils.
- TPO (Thrombopoietin): Induces differentiation of stem cells into megakaryocytes, precursors of blood platelets.
- Inflammatory cytokines: Certain cytokines promote the differentiation of stem cells into immune cells, such as lymphocytes and macrophages.
It is important to note that the complex interactions between different growth and differentiation factors vary according to stem cell type, culture environment and specific research objectives.