Table 1 Main bioactive growth factors released by activated platelets in CGF and their potential functions on SCs

Transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1

A chemotactic and mitogenic factor

It promotes MSCs proliferation and ECM synthesis. It also is effective in the odontoblastic differentiation of MSCs [28].

Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB

A chemotactic and mitogenic factor

It promotes the homing of MSCs. It stimulates MSCs, resulting in enhanced angiogenesis and osteogenesis with a dose-dependent effect [29].

Insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1

Regulating the proliferation, migration, and differentiation of multiple cell types

It promotes osteogenic proliferation and differentiation of DPSCs and SCAPs and promotes alkaline phosphatase production [30, 31].

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)

A key regulator of endothelial cell proliferation and migration in angiogenesis

It improves the proangiogenic capability of DPSCs and PDLSCs through accelerating the differentiation of SCs into endothelial cells.

Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)

A family of secreted multifunctional proteins involved in bone formation and development

It promotes osteogenic/odontogenic differentiation of SCs from different dental tissue sources. It also shows potential in inducing new bone formation and promoting the terminal differentiation of odontoblasts.

Epidermal growth factor (EGF)

A 53-amino acid peptide with roles in cell differentiation, migration, and apoptosis

It stimulates the osteogenic potential of DPSCs [32] and promotes BMSCs proliferation and migration.

Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF)

A single-chain protein with mitogenic and angiogenic activities

It, as an effective homing/migration factor, promotes the migration of DPSCs. It also inhibits mineralisation and promotes neuronal differentiation of DPSCs [33].