Growth factor refers to a substance that, in addition to normal components such as amino acids, vitamins, glucose, and inorganic salts, can replace high molecular weight substances in culture medium serum to promote cell growth in tissue culture. Synonymous with developmental factors and proliferative factors, but also known as proliferative factors due to the direct purpose of cell proliferation in tissue culture. Growth factors are generally peptide hormones, including insulin, epidermal growth factor (EGF), fibroblast growth factor (FGF), platelet derived growth factor (PDGF), and growth hormone release inhibitory factor (somatostatin=SRIH).
