IMMUNOMODULATORS AND THEIR RECEPTORS
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8. Neurotrophic growth factor
9. Wound-healing growth factor
10. Musculoskeletal growth factor
Whereas the cytokines influence the development of blood cells and other cellular elements 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 subdivisions 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.