成纤维细胞生长因子7(FGF7),也称为角质形成细胞生长因子(KGF),是FGF家族的重要成员,其主要由间充质来源的细胞表达,同时特异性地影响上皮细胞。因此,FGF7在多种组织中广泛表达,尤其是在泌尿系统,胃肠道(胃肠道),呼吸系统,皮肤,和生殖系统。通过与FGFR2-IIIb特异性相互作用,FGF7激活几个下游信号通路,包括Ras,PI3K-Akt,和PLC。先前对FGF7突变体的研究也涉及其在各种生物过程中的作用,包括成人基本器官的发育和组织稳态。此外,更多的出版物报道FGF7和/或FGF7/FGFR2-IIIb相关信号通路参与各种遗传性或获得性人类疾病的进展:遗传性疾病,如常染色体显性多囊肾病(ADPKD)和非综合征性唇腭裂(NSCLP),它促进囊肿形成并影响颅面发育,分别;获得性非恶性疾病,如慢性阻塞性肺疾病(COPD),特发性肺纤维化(IPF),粘膜炎,骨关节疾病,和代谢性疾病,影响炎症的地方,修复,和代谢控制;和肿瘤发生和恶性疾病,包括良性前列腺增生(BPH),前列腺癌,胃癌,卵巢癌,它增强了细胞增殖,入侵,和化疗抵抗。靶向FGF7通路具有治疗这些疾病的潜力,强调需要进一步研究以探索其临床应用。对FGF7的功能和潜在分子机制有更多的了解是必要的,以促进未来有效治疗的发展。这里,我们讨论了FGF7基因组结构,信号通路,在胚胎发育过程中以及在成年器官和突变体以及表型中的表达模式,以及相关疾病。
Fibroblast growth factor 7 (FGF7), also known as keratinocyte growth factor (KGF), is an important member of the FGF family that is mainly expressed by cells of mesenchymal origin while affecting specifically epithelial cells. Thus, FGF7 is widely expressed in diverse tissues, especially in urinary system, gastrointestinal tract (GI-tract), respiratory system, skin, and reproductive system. By interacting specifically with FGFR2-IIIb, FGF7 activates several downstream signal pathways, including Ras, PI3K-Akt, and PLCs. Previous studies of FGF7 mutants also have implicated its roles in various biological processes including development of essential organs and tissue homeostasis in adults. Moreover, more publications have reported that FGF7 and/or FGF7/FGFR2-IIIb-associated signaling pathway are involved in the progression of various heritable or acquired human diseases: heritable conditions like autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) and non-syndromic cleft lip and palate (NS CLP), where it promotes cyst formation and affects craniofacial development, respectively; acquired non-malignant diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), mucositis, osteoarticular disorders, and metabolic diseases, where it influences inflammation, repair, and metabolic control; and tumorigenesis and malignant diseases, including benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), prostate cancer, gastric cancer, and ovarian cancer, where it enhances cell proliferation, invasion, and chemotherapy resistance. Targeting FGF7 pathways holds therapeutic potential for managing these conditions, underscoring the need for further research to explore its clinical applications. Having more insights into the function and underlying molecular mechanisms of FGF7 is warranted to facilitate the development of effective treatments in the future. Here, we discuss FGF7 genomic structure, signal pathway, expression pattern during embryonic development and in adult organs and mutants along with phenotypes, as well as associated diseases.