Paracrine signaling by secreted cytokines and growth factors

Paracrine signaling by secreted cytokines and growth factors is a method of cellular communication in which signaling molecules (cytokines and growth factors) are locally released from one cell and act on neighboring target cells by binding to specific cell-surface receptors, thereby initiating intracellular signaling cascades and changes in gene expression or cellular behavior. Paracrine communication is essential for coordinating processes such as development, immune responses, tissue repair, cell proliferation, and differentiation. Dysregulation of these pathways can contribute to diseases including cancer, chronic inflammation, and various immune-mediated or fibrotic diseases. Rather than a single protein or receptor, paracrine signaling describes a diverse system mediated by a large family of cytokines, growth factors, and their respective receptors such as EGF, FGF, VEGF, PDGF, TGF-beta, interleukins, interferons, and many others.

Other names

Paracrine cytokine signalingParacrine growth factor signalingParacrine cell communication by secreted ligands