Fibro Blast Growth Factors (FGFs)


The Fibroblast Growth Factors (FGFs) constitute a large family of proteins involved in many aspects of development including cell proliferation, growth, and differentiation. They act on several cell types to regulate diverse physiologic functions including angiogenesis, cell growth, pattern formation, embryonic development, metabolic regulation, cell migration, neurotrophic effects, and tissue repair.

In humans, 22 members of the FGF family have been identified, all of which are structurally related signaling molecules. Fibroblast growth factors are multifunctional proteins with a wide variety of effects. 

The image below represents the protein structure of Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor.

FGFs have regulatory, morphological, and endocrine effects. The functions of FGFs in developmental processes include mesoderm induction, antero-posterior patterning, limb development, neural induction and neural development. In mature tissues/systems, FGFs influence and are involved in angiogenesis, wound healing, and keratinocyte organization. 
     
Recent evidence has shown that low levels of FGF2 play a key role in the incidence of excessive anxiety. During development of the central nervous system, FGFs play important roles in neurogenesis, axon growth, and differentiation. FGFs are also important for maintenance of the adult brain. 
       
FGFs are major determinants of neuronal survival both during development and during adulthood. Adult neurogenesis within the hippocampus e.g. depends greatly on FGF-2. In addition, FGF-1 and FGF-2 seem to be involved in the regulation of synaptic plasticity and processes attributed to learning and memory.
    
FGFs are important players in wound healing. In normal tissue, basic fibroblast growth factor is present in basement membranes and in the extracellular matrix of blood vessels. It has been hypothesized that during wound healing, enzymes activate bFGF, thus mediating the formation of new blood vessels. 
   
FGF1 and FGF2 stimulate the proliferation of fibroblasts that give rise to granulation tissue, which fills up a wound space/cavity early in the wound healing process. One important function of FGF1 and FGF2 is the promotion of endothelial cell proliferation and the physical organization of endothelial cells into tube-like structures. This process is known as angiogenesis. Thus, FGFs promote angiogenesis, the growth of new blood vessels from the pre-existing vasculature. 

Human FGF-2, otherwise known as FGF basic, is a polypeptide that shows both intracellular and extracellular activity. Cells known to express FGF-2 include visceral and vascular smooth muscle cells, cardiac muscle cells, epithelium of the colon and bronchus, neurons, cerebellar Purkinjie cells, megakaryocytes, platelets, endothelial cells, mast cells, glomerular parietal epithelial cells, podocytes, astrocytes, CD4 and CD8 T cells, fibroblasts, and numerous embryonic mesodermal and neuroectodermal tissues.      
     
FGF7 and FGF10 (also known as Keratinocyte Growth Factors KGF and KGF2, respectively) stimulate the repair of injured skin and mucosal tissues by stimulating the proliferation, migration and differentiation of epithelial cells.


Call 310-619-3055 for information on the only known 
Fibro Blast Growth Factor (FGF) food source.    
  
  

Published Research on FGF-2:

Click on the links on the left side to learn about the conditions on the right side.

Fibroblast Growth Factor 2: A New Key Player In Osteoporosis

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10406455     Poor Circulation (Ischemia)

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10913911     Osteoporosis

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12569810     Wounded Anus

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15876812     Hypertensive Heart Disease

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16508552     Disc Regeneration

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16644707     Diabetic Neuropathy

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17205557     Bone Repair

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17652878     Poor Circulation (Ischemia)

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18975307     Protection of Cartilage

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17394387     Bone Density

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17697621     Brain Damage Protection

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19011787     Pain

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19128258     Second Degree Burns

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19135539     Long Term Memory

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19217299     Brain/Spinal Cord Injury

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19225454     Extinction of Fear

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19266589     Tracheal Wound Healing

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19392876     Cornea Wound Healing

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19393930     Rotator Cuff Repair

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19501290     Rotator Cuff Repair

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19638336     Diabetic Ulceration

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19680989     Facial Paralysis

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19701077     Ischemic Leg Ulcer

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19887987     Nerve Regeneration

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19997830     Bone Growth

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20130536     Long Term Extinction of Fear

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20458694     Disc Regeneration

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20528078     Learning and Long Term Memory

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20533373     Broken Bones

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20632016     Abscess

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20632489     Burns

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20799884     Spinal Cord Injury

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20868384     Skin Grafts

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20930678     Severe Coronary Artery Disease

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21140191     Skin Regeneration

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21224050     Mitral Valve

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21233324     Extinction of Fear

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21297377     Emphysema

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21402405     Skin Regeneration

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21518861     Down-Regulate Anxiety Genes

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21564095     Multiple Sclerosis

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21624434     Anxiety Disorders

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21818404     Cartilage Formation

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21897328     Perforated Eardrums

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21924521     Perforated Eardrums

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21946856     Scars





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Call 310-619-3055 for information on the only known 
Fibro Blast Growth Factor (FGF) food source.