Which growth factors are most used in medicine and manufacturing?

In biomanufacturing, growth factors and cytokines are crucial for the cultivation and maintenance of cell cultures, particularly in the production of therapeutic proteins, vaccines, and other biologics. However, some growth factors have become much more widely used than others. Here are some of the most widely used growth factors and cytokines:
Fibroblast Growth Factor: FGFs, particularly FGF2 (also known as basic FGF) are involved in a variety of biological processes, including cell growth, embryonic development, and tissue repair. They are used in regenerative medicine and in the culture of stem cells.
Insulin-like Growth Factor: IGFs play a key role in growth and development and are used in cell culture media to promote cell proliferation and survival.
Interleukins (e.g., IL-2, IL-6, IL-10): Interleukins are a group of cytokines that play crucial roles in the immune system. IL-2 is often used to stimulate the growth and activity of T-cells in immunotherapy applications. IL-6 and IL-10 are used in research and therapeutic applications related to inflammation and immune response.
Clinically widely used
Transforming Growth Factor-beta: TGF-β is involved in cell differentiation, embryogenesis, and regulation of the immune system. It is used in the production of biologics that require controlled cell differentiation.
Epidermal Growth Factor: EGF is used to stimulate cell growth and proliferation, particularly in epithelial cells. It is often used in the production of skin-related products and in tissue engineering.Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha: TNF-α is a cytokine involved in systemic inflammation and is part of the body’s immune response. It is used in research to study inflammatory processes and in the development of anti-inflammatory drugs.
Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor: G-CSF is used to stimulate the production of white blood cells and is commonly used in the treatment of neutropenia, often induced by chemotherapy.
Erythropoietin: EPO is a growth factor that stimulates the production of red blood cells. It is used in the treatment of anemia, particularly in patients with chronic kidney disease or undergoing chemotherapy.
Platelet-Derived Growth Factor: PDGF is involved in wound healing and the regulation of cell growth and division. It is used in regenerative medicine and tissue engineering to promote the repair and regeneration of tissues.
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor: VEGF is critical for the formation of blood vessels (angiogenesis). It is used in research related to cancer, as tumors often require new blood vessels to grow, and in therapies aimed at promoting blood vessel formation in ischemic tissues.
Hematopoietic Growth Factors: These include factors like Stem Cell Factor (SCF) and Interleukin-3 (IL-3), which are used to support the growth and differentiation of hematopoietic stem cells in the production of blood cells.
Bone Morphogenetic Proteins (BMPs): BMPs are used in bone and cartilage repair and regeneration. They are important in orthopedic applications and tissue engineering.
IMAGE Biomanufacturing CREDIT Shutterstock