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The role of the fibroblast growth factor family in bone-related diseases

Jicheng Wang1,2, Shizhang Liu1, Jingyuan Li1

  • 1Department of Orthopaedics, Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Xi'an, China.

Chemical Biology & Drug Design
|July 2, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) regulate cell growth and are crucial in bone development and diseases. Targeting FGFs offers potential new therapies for skeletal conditions like osteoarthritis.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology
  • Skeletal Biology

Background:

  • Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) are key regulators of cellular processes including growth, proliferation, differentiation, and regeneration.
  • Aberrant expression of specific FGF family members is implicated in various skeletal disorders such as achondroplasia, craniosynostosis, osteoarthritis, and Kashin-Beck disease.
  • FGFs play a significant role in bone growth, proliferation, and the pathogenesis of bone-related diseases.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the multifaceted roles of FGFs in bone-related biological processes.
  • To examine the involvement of specific FGF members in the pathogenesis of bone diseases.
  • To highlight FGFs as potential therapeutic targets for skeletal disorders.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies investigating FGF family members and their functions in bone.
  • Analysis of evidence linking specific FGFs (FGF1, FGF2, FGF6, FGF8, FGF9, FGF18, FGF21, FGF23) to bone-related processes and diseases.
  • Synthesis of findings on FGFs' impact on cell differentiation, fracture repair, osteoarthritis, bone and muscle injury, and bone regulation.

Main Results:

  • FGF1 is involved in human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell differentiation and fracture repair.
  • FGF2, FGF9, and FGF18 are associated with osteoarthritis.
  • FGF6 plays a role in bone and muscle injury.
  • FGF8 is implicated in osteoarthritis and Kashin-Beck disease.
  • FGF21 and FGF23 are involved in bone regulation.

Conclusions:

  • FGFs are critical mediators of bone development, regeneration, and disease.
  • Specific FGF members have distinct roles in various skeletal pathologies.
  • The FGF family represents a promising avenue for developing novel therapeutic strategies for bone-related diseases.
Keywords:
abnormal expressionbone-related diseasesfibroblast growth factortargeted therapy

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