The postnatal condylar cartilage lives in complex mechanical micro-circumstances, and its growth and modification depends on proliferation and differentiation of condylar chondrocytes. Insulin-like growth factor（IGF）- Ⅰ is one of the important growth factors during growth and development in the condylar cartilage. At the cellular level, IGF-Ⅰexerts its biological actions through the binding and activation of IGF-Ⅰ , and its bioefficacy is modulated by IGF binding proteins（IGFBP）. IGF-Ⅰ induces variety cellular responses, including cell proliferation, differentiation, and aopotosis, promoting matrix synthesis and taking part in intercellular signal mechanotransduction. The article reviews IGF - Ⅰ and its receptor, IGFBP and its role and mechanism on the development of postnatal mandibular condylar cartilage.
