Growth Factors, Cytokines, and Chemokines: Formulation, Delivery, and Pharmacokinetics

Abstract

Growth factors, such as cytokines, hormones and chemokines, refer to a large class of proteins capable of stimulating cellular proliferation and differentiation. Cytokines stimulate the humoral and cellular immune responses and activate phagocytic cells, where as chemokines induce directed chemotaxis in nearby responsive cells. This article addresses the issues related to the formulation, delivery, pharmacokinetics, and applications of growth factors, cytokines, and chemokines.