Molecular Mechanisms of Fibroblast Growth Factor Signaling in Physiology and Pathology

Molecular mechanisms of fibroblast growth factor signaling in physiology and pathology.

Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) signal in a paracrine or endocrine fashion to mediate a myriad of biological activities, ranging from issuing developmental cues, maintaining tissue homeostasis, and regulating metabolic processes. FGFs carry out their diverse functions by binding and dimerizing FGF receptors (FGFRs) in a heparan sulfate (HS) cofactor- or Klotho coreceptor-assisted manner. The a...

Mechanisms of fibroblast growth factor signaling in the ovarian follicle.

Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) have been shown to alter growth and differentiation of reproductive tissues in a variety of species. Within the female reproductive tract, the effects of FGFs have been focused on the ovary, and the most studied one is FGF2, which stimulates granulosa cell proliferation and decreases differentiation (decreased steroidogenesis). Other FGFs have also been implicat...

Molecular mechanisms of angiogenic synergism between Fibroblast Growth Factor-2 and Platelet Derived Growth Factor-BB

Fibroblast Growth Factor Signaling in Metabolic Regulation

The prevalence of obesity is a growing health problem. Obesity is strongly associated with several comorbidities, such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, certain cancers, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes, which all reduce life expectancy and life quality. Several drugs have been put forward in order to treat these diseases, but many of them have detrimental side effects. The unexpecte...

Fibroblast Growth Factor-1 vs. Fibroblast Growth Factor-2 in Ischemic Skin Flap Survival in a Rat Animal Model

BACKGROUND One of the main challenges in skin flap surgery is tissue ischemia and following necrosis. The present study compares the effects of fibroblast growth factors 1 and 2 on increasing cutaneous vasculature, improving ischemia, and preventing distal necrosis in ischemic skin flaps in rat model. METHODS Thirty rats were allocated into 3 groups (n=10) and 2×8 cm dorsal rando...