Pharmacological Application of Growth Factors: Basic and Clinical
1School of Pharmacy, Wenzhou Medical University, Chashan University-Town, Wenzhou 325035, China
2Department of Bioengineering, McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
3Excellence Cluster Cardio Pulmonary System, University Justus Liebig Giessen, Aulweg 130, 35392 Giessen, Germany
Pharmacological Application of Growth Factors: Basic and Clinical
Description
Growth factors are proteins that function as growth stimulators, increase cell survival, and activate migration, proliferation, and differentiation. Several growth factors such as fibroblast growth factor (FGF), epidermal growth factor (EGF), and nerve growth factor (NGF) play a key role in brain or spinal cord injury and acute organ injuries. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) increases vascular permeability and induces angiogenesis and vasculogenesis, which is applied in the treatment of ischemic heart disease and so on. One of the main functions of growth factors is to promote cell proliferation which is essential for wound healing, tissue repair, and regeneration. Latest studies also figured out another effect on metabolism. However, the molecular mechanisms of growth factors treatment are still undefined. Thus, further investigations on mechanisms of growth factors in basic and clinical research are urgent.
We invite investigators to contribute original research articles as well as review articles that will stimulate the continuing efforts to understand the molecular mechanisms of growth factors in the studies on basic or clinical research such as neuronal diseases, acute injury, wound healing, tissue engineering and organ repair, and vasculogenesis to improve the development of growth factors as new drugs in the therapeutic strategies. Potential topics include, but are not limited to:
- Pharmacological application of growth factors in neuronal diseases
- Recent developments and mechanisms of growth factors in basic or clinical studies on wound healing
- Development of growth factors in organ injury and repair
- Recent advances of growth factors in basic or clinical research of vasculogenesis
- Pharmacological application of growth factors in tissue engineering
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