title: Fibroblast growth factor/fibroblast growth factor receptor system in angiogenesis.
abstract: Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) are a family of heparin-binding growth factors. FGFs exert their pro-angiogenic activity by interacting with various endothelial cell surface receptors, including tyrosine kinase receptors, heparan-sulfate proteoglycans, and integrins. Their activity is modulated by a variety of free and extracellular matrix-associated molecules. Also, the cross-talk among FGFs, vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGFs), and inflammatory cytokines/chemokines may play a role in the modulation of blood vessel growth in different pathological conditions, including cancer. Indeed, several experimental evidences point to a role for FGFs in tumor growth and angiogenesis. This review will focus on the relevance of the FGF/FGF receptor system in adult angiogenesis and its contribution to tumor vascularization.
authors.affiliation: Unit of General Pathology and Immunology, Department of Biomedical Sciences and Biotechnology, School of Medicine, University of Brescia, Viale Europa 11, 25123 Brescia, Italy. presta@med.unibs.it
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Presta
authors.forename: Patrizia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Dell'Era
authors.forename: Stefania
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mitola
authors.forename: Emanuela
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Moroni
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ronca
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rusnati
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000502:physiology; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / Q000502:physiology; D005346:Fibroblast Growth Factors / Q000502:physiology*; D015316:Genetic Therapy; D019812:Heparan Sulfate Proteoglycans / Q000502:physiology; D006493:Heparin / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007511:Ischemia / Q000628:therapy; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000503:physiopathology*; D017468:Receptors, Fibroblast Growth Factor / Q000502:physiology*; D040262:Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor / Q000502:physiology; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D019812:Heparan Sulfate Proteoglycans; D017468:Receptors, Fibroblast Growth Factor; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2; D005346:Fibroblast Growth Factors; D006493:Heparin; D040262:Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor