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. 2006 Sep 16;16(4):447–468. doi: 10.1007/s00586-006-0220-y

Table 3.

Growth factors expressed in degenerating intervertebral discs (references given refer to studies discussing the role of the respective growth factor in disc degeneration)

Growth factor Function (induction of) References
TGF-β Cellular proliferationProteoglycan synthesis [104, 187, 196, 198]
IGF-1 Proteoglycan synthesis (minor effect) [148, 149, 187]
bFGF Proteoglycan synthesis (minor effect) [196, 197]
NGF Formation of nerve fibres [52, 59]

TGF-β transforming growth factor-β, IGF-1 insulin-like growth factor-1, BFGF basic fibroblast growth factor, NGF nerve growth factor