American Board of Surgery Qualifying Exam (ABS QE) Practice Test

Which growth factors are primarily involved in the proliferatory phase?

1. PDGF

2. VEGF

3. EGF

4. HGF

The correct answer is: PDGF

In the proliferatory phase of wound healing, platelets and various cells release different growth factors that play critical roles in tissue regeneration and repair. Platelet-Derived Growth Factor (PDGF) is particularly significant during this phase as it is one of the first growth factors involved in recruiting fibroblasts and smooth muscle cells to the injury site. PDGF promotes cellular proliferation and migration, stimulating the synthesis of extracellular matrix components, which are essential for the structure and function of new tissue. PDGF also has a crucial role in angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels, which is necessary for supplying nutrients and oxygen to the repairing tissue. This extensive focus on promoting cell growth and migration makes PDGF a cornerstone in the proliferatory phase of wound healing. While other growth factors like Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF), Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF), and Hepatocyte Growth Factor (HGF) have important roles in various processes related to healing and tissue repair, they contribute more prominently in specific contexts or later stages of wound healing rather than primarily in the proliferatory phase. VEGF is particularly important in angiogenesis but is not as directly involved in cellular proliferation as PDGF. EGF is known for its role in