| Transforming growth factor-beta, TGF-β | Platelets, extracellular matrix of bone, cartilage matrix, activated TH1 cells and natural killer cells, macrophages/monocytes and neutrophils | Stimulates undifferentiated mesenchymal cell proliferation; regulates endothelial, fibroblastic and osteoblastic mitogenesis; regulates collagen synthesis and collagenase secretion; regulates mitogenic effects of other growth factors; stimulates endothelial chemotaxis and angiogenesis; inhibits macrophage and lymphocyte proliferation |
| Basic fibroblast growth factor, bFGF | Platelets, macrophages, mesenchymal cells, chondrocytes, osteoblasts | Promotes growth and differentiation of chondrocytes and osteoblasts; mitogenetic for mesenchymal cells, chondrocytes and osteoblasts |
| Platelet-derived growth factor, PDGFa-b | Platelets, osteoblasts, endothelial cells, macrophages, monocytes, smooth muscle cells | Mitogenetic for mesenchymal cells and osteoblasts; stimulates chemotaxis and mitogenesis in fibroblast/glial/smooth muscle cells; regulates collagenase secretion and collagen synthesis; stimulates macrophage and neutrophil chemotaxis |
| Epidermal growth factor, EGF | Platelets, macrophages, monocytes | Stimulates endothelial chemotaxis/angiogenesis; regulates collagenase secretion; stimulates epithelial/mesenchymal mitogenesis |
| Vascular endothelial growth factor, VEGF | Platelets, endothelial cells | Increases angiogenesis and vessel permeability; stimulates mitogenesis for endothelial cells |
| Connective tissue growth factor, CTGF | Platelets through endocytosis from extracellular environment in bone marrow | Promotes angiogenesis, cartilage regeneration, fibrosis and platelet adhesion |