Growth factors are naturally occurring proteins or peptides that play crucial roles in regulating cell growth, proliferation, and differentiation. These molecules bind to specific receptors on the surface of cells and trigger various intracellular processes that influence the cell’s behavior. Growth factors are vital in both normal physiological processes, such as wound healing and development, and pathological conditions like cancer.

In the context of stem cell biology, growth factors are essential for:

    1.    Stem Cell Maintenance: They help maintain the self-renewal capacity of stem cells, allowing them to divide and maintain their undifferentiated state over time.
    2.    Differentiation: Growth factors signal stem cells to differentiate into specific cell types, guiding them to develop into tissues such as muscle, nerve, or blood cells.
    3.    Cell Survival and Proliferation: They promote cell survival by inhibiting apoptosis (programmed cell death) and stimulate cell division, ensuring healthy tissue regeneration and repair.