A bone growth factor is a growth factor that stimulates the growth of bone tissue.[1][2]
Known bone growth factors include insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), insulin-like growth factor-2 (IGF-2), transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β), fibroblast growth factors (FGFs), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), parathyroid hormone-related peptide (PTHrP), bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), and certain members of the growth differentiation factor (GDF) group of proteins.[1][2][3]
The ultimate target of bone growth factors are osteoblasts, osteoclasts and fibroblasts. Human fibroblasts and osteoblasts were shown to be capable of producing bone growth factors after stimulation.[4]
Major hormones influencing bone growth and morphology include growth hormone (GH), androgens such as testosterone and dihydrotestosterone, and estrogens such as estradiol.[3][5]