Description
FGF basic stimulates the proliferation of all cells of mesodermal origin, and many cells of neuroectodermal, ectodermal and endodermal origin. The cells include fibroblasts, endothelial cells, astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, neuroblasts, keratinocytes, osteoblasts, smooth muscle cells, and melanocytes. FGF basic is chemotactic and mitogenic for endothelial cells in vitro. FGF basic induces neuron differentiation, survival and regeneration. FGF basic has also been shown to be crucial in modulating embryonic development and differentiation. These observed in vitro functions of FGF basic suggest FGF basic may play a role in vivo in the modulation of such normal processes as angiogenesis, wound healing and tissue repair, embryonic development and differentiation, and neuronal function and neural degeneration. Additionally, FGF basic may participate in the production of a variety of pathological conditions resulting from excessive cell proliferation and excessive angiogenesis