Neural Responses to Injury: Prevention, Protection and Repair; Volume 2: Repair and Regeneration of Peripheral Nerve Damage.
Abstract
The fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) are a family of nine structurally related polypeptides. The best characterized members are acidic FGF (FGF-1) and basic FGF (FGF-2). Other members of the FGF family include FGF-3 (int-2), FGF-4 (hstlkfgf), FGF-5, FGF-6, FGF-7 (keratinocyte growth factor, KGF), FGF-8 (AlGF) and FGF-9 (glial-activating factor, GAF) (1-3). FGF types I and 2 share 53% amino acid sequence homology (4), suggesting that they are derived from a common ancestral gene. They also have a strong affinity for heparin (5,6) and bind to the same cell surface receptor (7). FGFs are involved in various biological activities, including angiogenesis, mitogenesis, cellular differentiation, tumorigenesis, and repair of tissue injury (5, 8, 9). These actions are mediated through specific, high affinity, transmembrane receptors. Four structurally related genes encoding high affinity receptors have been identified (10-13). The FGF receptor has diverse forms, FGFR-1, FGFR-2, FGFR-3 and FGFR-4. FGF-1 binds to all four members of the FGF receptor family and FGF-2 binds to all but FGFR (14-15). FGF is found in many tissues including peripheral nerve, and it is suggested that due to its action on fibroblasts may participate in neuroma formation, a complication of peripheral nerve injury and characterized by accumulation of collagen and extracellular matrix which form a barrier thar regenerating axons cannot penetrate, resulting in bulb- like enlargement or neuroma (1 6), The mechanism of neuroma formation is not understood.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 1996
- Accession Number
- ADA339369
Entities
People
- Nicolas G Bazan
Organizations
- Louisiana State University