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growth factor

American  

noun

  1. any of various proteins that promote the growth, organization, and maintenance of cells and tissues.


growth factor British  

noun

  1. any of several substances present in serum that induce growth of cells. Excessive amounts of growth factor may be associated with the production of cancer cells

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Example Sentences

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See Examples For:

The research focuses on hepatocyte growth factor, or HGF, a protein that helps initiate the repair of skeletal muscle.

From Science Daily Jul. 24, 2026

Over at GlaxoSmithKline, a partnership with Korea’s ABL Bio will use the receptor for the insulinlike growth factor as a portal for neurology drugs.

From Barron's Jun. 3, 2026

"The next question was, could it actually block that particular growth factor receptor," Weimbs said.

From Science Daily Nov. 19, 2025

"Our findings suggest that neuropilin-1 is required for nerve growth factor to signal pain, even if it is indirectly regulating it," said Bunnett.

From Science Daily Dec. 5, 2024

Our present society allows almost unlimited exercise of the growth factor in individuals, regardless of how powerful it may be.

From The Colonists by Jones, Raymond F.

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