Fibroblast growth factors, or
FGFs, are a family of
growth factors, with members involved in
angiogenesis,
wound healing, embryonic development and various endocrine signaling pathways. The FGFs are
heparin-binding proteins and interactions with cell-surface-associated
heparan sulfate proteoglycans have been shown to be essential for FGF
signal transduction. FGFs are key players in the processes of proliferation and differentiation of wide variety of cells and tissues.