What are growth factor examples?

Examples of protein growth factors include VEGF, EGF, and PDGF. 

• VEGF promotes the growth of new blood vessels (angiogenesis). VEGF forms part of the mechanism which replenishes the blood supply to tissues and cells when they are in need of oxygenated blood due to compromised blood circulation. 
• EGF is a single polypeptide of 53 amino acid residues which stimulate the growth of epithelial cells. EGF binds to the plasma membrane located in the EGF receptor. 
• PDGF stimulates the growth of muscle and connective tissue cells. 

Several growth factors are also used therapeutically:

• Erythropoietin, which stimulates the growth of red blood cells, is used to treat anemia correlated with chronic kidney failure, cancer chemotherapy, and AZT therapy in AIDS patients. 
• Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor are used to induce the production of white blood cells in patients with cancer. These agents are also utilized to transport hematopoietic stem cells into the bloodstream in order to produce cells that can be harvested and used for autologous bone marrow transplants.