Basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF2) (FGF2)

Basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF2) is a potent mitogenic and angiogenic protein that belongs to the fibroblast growth factor family. It plays a fundamental role in physiological processes such as limb and nervous system development, tissue regeneration, and wound repair by stimulating the proliferation and differentiation of various cell types, including fibroblasts and endothelial cells. In pathological contexts, FGF2 is frequently overexpressed in the tumor microenvironment, where it promotes tumor growth, survival, and metastasis by enhancing angiogenesis and activating oncogenic signaling through its high-affinity tyrosine kinase receptors (FGFRs). In drug development, FGF2 is targeted both as an agonist in the form of recombinant proteins (e.g., Trafermin) for chronic wound healing and as part of the FGF/FGFR axis in oncology, where small molecule inhibitors and antibodies aim to block its aberrant signaling in malignancies like urothelial and cholangiocarcinoma. Managing its pathway often involves monitoring for unique side effects like hyperphosphatemia and ocular toxicities.

Other names

bFGFFibroblast growth factor 2Heparin-binding growth factor 2HBGF-2ProstatropinFGF-beta

FGF2 binds to fibroblast growth factor receptors (FGFR1-4) and heparan sulfate proteoglycans to form a ternary complex, inducing receptor dimerization, autophosphorylation, and activation of the RAS-MAPK, PI3K-AKT, and PLC-gamma signaling pathways.