A review of FGF18: Its expression, signaling pathways and possible functions during embryogenesis and post-natal development.
FGF18 is a novel growth factor first reported in 1998. Current evidence suggests that FGF18 may play a prominent role in chondrogenesis and osteogenesis during skeletal development and growth. However, its function extends to many other biological processes. Although there remains much to be discovered and investigated on the functions and mechanisms of FGF18, it may play a role as a useful therapeutic target for various applications. The following review summarizes the current knowledge on FGF18 with special emphasis on its skeletal functions and highlights its potential areas for future research.
Haque
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Shriners Hospital, Montreal Children Hospital, Division of Orthopaedics, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Nakada
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Hamdy
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D000818:Animals; D001846:Bone Development; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000378:metabolism*; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D047108:Embryonic Development; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000502:physiology*; D005346:Fibroblast Growth Factors / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000502:physiology*; D015870:Gene Expression; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D008954:Models, Biological; D015398:Signal Transduction
C113569:fibroblast growth factor 18; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2; D005346:Fibroblast Growth Factors