The role of growth factors in wound healing.

Numerous growth factors are involved in the regulation of tissue repair and remodelling processes. The repair process is initiated by inflammation, a phenomenon that is regulated by components of the immune response such as cytokines, matrix elements and growth factors. These locally released growth factors or cytokines induce the recruitment, activation, mitogenesis and differentiation of various other cell types. It is improbable that all of them play a key role in the tissue repair process. Obviously, each of these factors may also influence normal tissue homeostasis. Therefore, the possible use of these factors for therapeutic intervention has to be considered carefully. Some of the important aspects of growth factors with regard to this topic will be discussed.