Abstract: Insulin-like growth factors(IGFs) are important growth factors regulating body growth and development especially on endochondral ossification.IGF-I involves in chondrogenesis of mesenchymal stem cells and maintenance of mature cartilage.Insulin-like growth factor-binding proteins(IGFBPs) represent a evolutionarily conservative protein family including 6 independent family members:IGFBP1,2,3,4,5,6.They regulate functions of IGFs,exert functions of storage and transport of IGFs and have some IGF independent actions.IGFBPs play an important role in regulating cartilage development too.The regulatory role of IGFs and IGFBPs on chondrocytes growth and development were reviewed.The references for cartilage tissue engineering were provided.

Key words: Insulin-like growth factors, Insulin-like growth factor-bingding proteins, Chondrogenesis, Cartilage tissue engineering