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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2016 Apr 1.
Published in final edited form as: Adv Drug Deliv Rev. 2014 Oct 17;84:68–84. doi: 10.1016/j.addr.2014.10.010

Table 1.

Summary of various dynamic factors influencing growth factor delivery in pathophysiological contexts.

Factor Components Influence on GFs delivery Reference
ECMs Proteoglycans, fibrin, collagen, fibronectin. Directly binds to GFs via affinity interactions; augment GFs activity through synergistic effect with ECM; cooperatively work with integrins for activation signaling pathways [33,45–47,57,58]
pH Natural environment, engineering environment, pH responsive delivery systems Change GFs release kinetics by changing carrier degradation; influence GFs bioactivity (protein aggregates) [77,78,97]
GF carrier Carrier materials, carrier degradation, enzyme-mediated degradation Primary mechanism to control GF release rate; immobilize GF on carriers; cause damage to GFs due to the degradation byproducts [85,105,111,116]
Surrounding cells Macrophages, platelets, osteoclasts Clearance of GF carriers via phagocytosis; formation of hematoma; participate in carrier degradation and resorption [48,146,155,159,163]
Biomechanics Mechanical stimuli to tissues and GF carrier systems Mechanical loading increases GF release during healing; deformation of GF carrier by pressing causes GF release [167,169,171]