Paracrine signalling is a form of signalling in which the target cell is close to the signal releasing cell, and the signal chemical is broken down too quickly to be carried to other parts of the body. It involves the use of paracrine agents. Examples of paracrine signaling include growth factor signaling and clotting factors. Growth factor signaling plays an important role in many aspects of developement. In mature organisms paracrine signaling functions include responses to allergens, repairs to damaged tissue, formation of scar tissue, and clotting. Overproduction of some paracrine growth factors has been linked to the development of cancer.

See also

• Autocrine signalling