MGF

"Mechano-Growth Factor" usually refers to the IGF-1Ec splice variant or, in many peptide products, to synthetic peptides derived from the MGF E-domain. MGF expression rises after mechanical loading, stretch, or injury, but the field has been marked by disputed interpretations and confirmation-bias concerns.

Mechanistically, MGF is discussed as an injury-responsive IGF-1 isoform that can favor satellite-cell recruitment and proliferation, delay terminal differentiation, and support tissue repair signaling. Preclinical work reported increased proliferative lifespan and delayed senescence in human muscle satellite cells exposed to MGF-E peptide, anti-apoptotic and remodeling effects in cardiac injury models, and improved osteoblast proliferation and bone-defect healing. However, at least one study specifically reported the mechano-growth-factor peptide had no apparent effect on myoblasts or primary muscle stem cells.