Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) is a member of the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) family, which mainly participates in human angiogenesis, wound healing, embryonic development, and various endocrine regulatory functions.
FGFs are heparin binding growth factors that interact with heparin sulfate polysaccharides on the cell surface to demonstrate important cellular signal transduction effects. FGFs exhibit the role of promoting cell proliferation, migration, and differentiation in various cells and tissues.
In the human body, the FGFs family consists of 22 main members, with molecular weights ranging from 17-34 kDa and amino acid homology ranging from 13-71% [6,7].
FGFs are a group of multifunctional proteins that can exert various functions in the body. Their most basic function is cell mitogen, which can also regulate cell morphology and regulate the endocrine system in the body. Therefore, FGFs are known as "pluripotent cytokines" [8].
There are mainly four FGF receptors on the cell surface, and all 22 members of FGFs can bind to these four receptors, thereby activating the cellular signaling transduction pathway that responds within the cell. Plays a crucial role in the development of vertebrates and invertebrates, and inadequate expression of any FGF cytokines can lead to various developmental defects [9-12].
One important function of FGF1 and FGF2 is to promote the proliferation of endothelial cells, thus effectively promoting the generation of blood vessels and promoting the growth of new blood vessels from existing blood vessels in tissues. FGF1 and FGF2 have a stronger ability to promote angiogenesis than vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and platelet induced growth factor (PDGF) [13].
In clinical practice, FGF1 and FGF2 are also widely used in research to promote vascular growth in the myocardium [Stegmann, 1999, New approaches to coronary heart disease – Introduction of neovascularization by growth factors] [14]. FGF1 and FGF2 not only promote angiogenesis, but also effectively promote the generation of granulation tissue at the wound site by promoting angiogenesis and proliferation of fibroblasts. These newly formed granulation tissue can quickly fill the defect tissue caused by trauma, thereby achieving the process of repairing the wound site.
FGF7 and FGF10, also known as keratinocyte growth factors, can accelerate skin repair and mucosal tissue regeneration by stimulating and promoting epithelial cell proliferation, migration, and differentiation.
FGFs also play a crucial role in the proliferation, neurogenesis, axonal growth, and cell differentiation of neural stem cells during the development of the central nervous system in embryos. FGF2 can also be used to induce an increase in cortical folds in mice [15]. Other members of the FGFs family, FGF8, regulate the location and size of functional areas in the cerebral cortex [16,17]. FGFs are also crucial in maintaining adult brain function. Therefore, FGFs play a crucial role in neuronal growth and survival during both embryonic and adult development [18]. Adult hippocampal neural development also relies heavily on FGF2.
