Growth Factor

A substance made by the body that stimulates the bone marrow bone marrow: The soft, spongy tissue inside most bones. Blood cells are formed in the bone marrow. to produce blood cells. Some growth factors growth factors: Growth factors are naturally occurring hormones in your body that signal your bone marrow to make more of certain types of blood cells. Man-made growth factors may be given to some people with bone marrow failure diseases to help increase red blood cell, white blood cell or platelet counts. Red… are man-made in the laboratory and used for treating low blood counts. These include red blood cell red blood cell: The most numerous type of blood cell in healthy people. Red blood cells contain hemoglobin, a protein that picks up oxygen in the lungs and brings it to cells in all parts of the body. Also called erythrocyte, RBC. growth factors called erythropoietin erythropoietin: (i-rith-row-POY-uh-tun) A protein made by the kidneys. Erythropoietin, also called EPO, is created in response to low oxygen levels in the body (anemia). EPO causes the bone marrow to make more red blood cells. A shortage of EPO can also cause anemia. (EPO) and darbepoetin, and white blood cell white blood cell: Cells in the body that fight disease and infection by attacking and killing germs. There are several types of white blood cells including neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils, lymphocytes and monocytes. Each type of cell fights a different kind of germ. Also called WBC, leukocyte. growth factors called granulocyte granulocyte: Any one of these three types of white blood cells - neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils. These cells have granules that contain enzymes to help fight infection. colony stimulating factors (GCSF) and granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factors (GMCSF). Also called cytokines.