Fibroblast growth factors: properties, biosynthesis, biological functions, therapeutic applications and engineering
Nitin Tiwari1, Ashok Tiwari2, Lalita Mehra2, Arjun Ganguly3, Kamlesh Darji2, Muzafar Pandit4, Rachana R51Department of Microbiology, Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Medical Sciences And Dr. RML Hospital, New Delhi, India2Department of Pathology, All India Institute of Medical Science, New Delhi, India
3Department of Burns and Trauma, All India Institute of Medical Science, New Delhi, India
4Department of Biosciences, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, India
5Department of Biotechnology, Jaypee Institute of Information Technology, Uttar Pradesh, India
Fibroblast Growth Factors (FGFs) function as signaling molecules within various signaling pathways, regulating the proliferation, migration, and differentiation of soft connective tissues, nerves, epithelial tissue, and bone. The FGF family comprises 22 members, with acidic Fibroblast Growth Factor (aFGF/FGF-1) and basic Fibroblast Growth Factor (bFGF/FGF-2) being of primary significance. This article explores the biochemical and biological properties of different FGFs, elucidating their roles in various biological processes. Additionally, it delves into the interactions between FGFs and Receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs), which activate several cell signaling cascades, such as the RAS/MAPK (Mitogen-activated Protein Kinase) pathway, PI3K (phosphoinositide 3-kinase)/AKT (v-akt murine thymoma viral oncogene homolog) pathway, PLC-γ (Phospholipase C-γ) pathway, and Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription (STAT) pathway, to facilitate diverse cellular functions. The article also examines methods for engineering FGFs, including N-terminal truncation, point mutations, or combinations thereof, for therapeutic applications in tissue regeneration, angiogenesis, and repairing damaged tissues such as cartilage, bone, ligaments, and skin. Finally, it concludes with a discussion of the delivery systems for FGFs, encompassing scaffolds, hydrogels, as well as nano- and micro-particulate methods.
Keywords: Angiogenesis, engineered FGFs, fibroblast growth factor, RAS/MAP kinase pathway, tissue regenerationManuscript Language: English