IMMUNOMODULATORS AND THEIR RECEPTORS 401- Neurotrophic growth factor
- Wound-healing growth factor
- Musculoskeletal growth factor
Whereas the cytokines influence the development of blood cells and other cellular ele-
ments of the immune system, the other growth factors regulate the development of a
wide range of other cell types. Within each of these categories are additional subdivi-
sions into further types of growth factors. For example, neurotrophic growth factors
include many different types of neurotrophins,including nerve growth factor (NGF)
and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). These various factors influence the
development of neurons.
Not surprisingly, growth factors are messenger molecules that are being exploited to
treat a wide variety of diseases at the cellular level of attack. These diseases include
Figure 6.3 A vast array of chemical mediators influence immunomodulation and cellular
growth. These various mediators are linked to one another. For example, interferons are a subset
of cytokines, which in turn are a subset of growth factors.