Definition of Growth factor

1. Noun. A protein that is involved in cell differentiation and growth.

Generic synonyms: Protein
Specialized synonyms: Nerve Growth Factor, Ngf

Definition of Growth factor

1. Noun. A naturally-occurring substance capable of stimulating cellular growth, proliferation, and cellular differentiation. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Medical Definition of Growth factor

1. A complex family of polypeptide hormones or biological factors that are produced by the body to control growth, division and maturation of blood cells by the bone marrow. They regulate the division and proliferation of cells and influence the growth rate of some cancers. These factors occur naturally but some can be synthesised using molecular biology techniques and are used clinically to stimulate normal white cell production following chemotherapy or bone marrow transplantation. Examples include epidermal growth factor, platelet-derived growth factor, fibroblast growth factor. Insulin and somatomedin are also growth factors, the status of nerve growth factor is more uncertain. Perturbation of growth factor production or of the response to growth factor is important in neoplastic transformation. (29 Sep 1997)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Growth Factor

grows up
growse
growsed
growses
growsing
growth
growth-onset diabetes
growth and embryonic development
growth arrest lines
growth cone
growth cone collapse
growth control
growth curve
growth factor (current term)
growth factors
growth hormone
growth hormone-producing adenoma
growth hormone-regulating hormone
growth hormone-releasing factor
growth hormone-releasing hormone
growth hormone inhibiting hormone
growth hormone stimulation test
growth hormone suppression test
growth industry
growth inhibitors
growth media
growth medium

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