TNF and osteoradionecrosis: In young rat growth plate injury model, FGF2 is expressed in fibrogenic response phase and osteogenic stage coinciding with mesenchymal cell infiltration and bony bridge formation, suggesting the possible involvement of FGF2 in the repair of injured growth plates.219 In addition, FGF2 is involved in the regulatory role of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in injured growth plates220 and contributes to the pathogenesis of osteoradionecrosis, osteopenia, and growth arrest.221