Table 3.
Selected growth factors in wound healing*
| Growth factor | Wound healing related function | Indication |
|---|---|---|
| VEGF | Stimulates angiogenesis and collateral blood vessel development; accelerates granulation tissue formation | Has potential for use in diabetic ulcers; gene transfer encoding VEGF shown to be effective in ischaemic legs and ulcers by formation of collateral blood vessels |
| FGF | Promotes fibroblast proliferation, matrix deposition, wound contraction, and angiogenesis | Trials show that topical recombinant bovine FGF is effective in burns, donor site wounds, and pressure ulcers |
| KGF | Promotes proliferation and migration of keratinocytes | Trials show that topical recombinant human KGF-2 (repifermin) is effective in venous leg ulcers |
| EGF | Stimulates keratinocyte differentiation, proliferation, migration, and adhesion | Trials show that topical recombinant human EGF is effective in partial thickness burns |
| PDGF | Chemoattractant for neutrophils and fibroblasts; stimulates fibroblast proliferation | Topical recombinant human PDGF-BB (becaplermin) shown to be effective in diabetic foot ulcers |
| G-CSF | Stimulates production of neutrophils; enhances neutrophil and monocyte function; promotes keratinocyte proliferation | Recombinant human G-CSF injected subcutaneously shown to be effective in infected diabetic foot ulcers |
| GM-CSF | Mediates epidermal cell proliferation | Trials show that topical recombinant human GM-CSF enhances healing of venous leg ulcers |
| HGF | Recruits neutrophils, monocytes, and mast cells; has mitogenic and morphogenetic properties | Topical recombinant HGF may accelerate healing of chronic venous leg ulcers |
| TGF-β | Attracts macrophages and fibroblasts to wound site; stimulates angiogenesis and collagen metabolism | Trails show that recombinant human TGF-β2 is effective in diabetic foot ulcers |
VEGF = vascular endothelial growth factor; FGF = fibroblast growth factor; KGF = keratinocyte growth factor; EGF = epidermal growth factor; PDGF = platelet derived growth factor; HGF = hepatocyte growth factor; G-CSF = granulocyte colony stimulating factor; GM-CSF = granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor; TGF-β = transforming growth factor β. *Only PDGF is licensed for commercial use in the United Kingdom.