The three main elements in the development of regenerative medicine technology are cell therapy, cytokine therapy, and extracellular matrix therapy. Cytokines are low molecular weight proteins or small molecule polypeptides with immunomodulatory and effector functions, which have complex roles and functions in regenerative medicine due to the diversity of types and mechanisms. Cytokines have been shown to regulate the immune system, promote hematopoiesis and growth, and repair damaged tissues, which are essential for tissue regeneration.
Figure 1. Growth factor delivery from engineered platform to regulate cell fate. (Gresham R C H, et al., 2021)
Tissue Repair
Skin Repair
Epidermal growth factor (EGF) promotes the regrowth of traumatized epidermis. Researchers have found that growth factors cause skin cells to proliferate and accelerate new skin formation. When the epidermis is injured, topical medications containing EGF can accelerate the skin repair process, thus helping the skin to return to its original state.
Bone Repair
The bone growth and repair process involves many types of cells and proteins. Some commonly used cell growth factors in bone cell growth and differentiation are fibroblast growth factor (FGF), BMP, and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β). These cytokines stimulate osteoblasts to undergo growth and promote bone matrix regeneration and formation. Among them, BMP-2 is the growth factor with the strongest osteogenic ability known to date, and its loading on bone repair materials can effectively promote the regeneration of broken bones.
Cartilage Repair
Cartilage repair typically uses basic FGF and collagen to promote growth. Collagen accelerates the repair process by helping to fill and strengthen the area where the cartilage defect is located, while FGF stimulates the proliferation and differentiation of chondrocytes, thereby accelerating cartilage repair.
Key Cytokines
Collagen. Primarily designed to provide extracellular scaffolding for multicellular organisms, collagen types I, II, and III are interstitial or fibrous collagens and are most abundant in the body.
Growth factors. Promote the repair process by stimulating the proliferation of cells that develop from the same kind of cell or the same germ layer. Multiple skin-like growth factors stimulate cell proliferation and participate in the reconstruction of damaged tissue, acting on multiple cell types or only on specific target cells.
Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF). Promote glial cell proliferation by causing fibroblasts, smooth muscle cells, and monocytes to proliferate and wander, which in turn promotes glial cell proliferation.
FGF. Its main action on endothelial cells, especially during capillary neogenesis, causes endothelial cells to divide and induces them to produce proteolytic enzymes that dissolve the basement membrane, facilitating the traversal of endothelial cells to produce buds.
EGF. EGF has a proliferative effect on epithelial cells, fibroblasts, glial cells, and smooth muscle cells.
TGF. A low concentration of TGF-β can induce PDGF synthesis and secretion, promote fibroblast chemotaxis, produce collagen and fibronectin, inhibit collagenolysis, and promote fibrogenesis.
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). It significantly increases vascular permeability and promotes wound healing and vascular proliferation in chronic inflammation.
GMP-grade standard. The strict quality control system ensures that all production processes and products meet GMP requirements.
Variety of choices. Various kinds of high-quality GMP cytokines and proteins are available for you to choose from, in addition, personalized customized service can also meet your special needs.
Technical support. We will process the orders in time and ensure perfect after-sales service.
Creative BioMart possesses a wide range of superior quality GMP cytokine options and related custom services to facilitate research in tissue regenerative medicine. Please don't hesitate to contact us if you are interested in our products or services.
Reference
Gresham R C H, Bahney C S, Leach J K. (2021). Growth factor delivery using extracellular matrix-mimicking substrates for musculoskeletal tissue engineering and repair[J]. Bioactive materials. 6(7): 1945-1956.
Figure 1. Growth factor delivery from engineered platform to regulate cell fate. (Gresham R C H, et al., 2021)
