title: Fibroblast growth factor-2 and cardioprotection.
abstract: Boosting myocardial resistance to acute as well as chronic ischemic damage would ameliorate the detrimental effects of numerous cardiac pathologies and reduce the probability of transition to heart failure. Experimental cardiology has pointed to ischemic and pharmacological pre- as well as post-conditioning as potent acute cardioprotective manipulations. Additional exciting experimental strategies include the induction of true regenerative and/or angiogenic responses to the damaged heart, resulting in sustained structural and functional beneficial effects. Fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2), an endogenous multifunctional protein with strong affinity for the extracellular matrix and basal lamina and well-documented paracrine, autocrine and intracellular modes of action, has been shown over the years to exert acute and direct pro-survival effects, irrespectively of whether it is administered before, during or after an ischemic insult to the heart. FGF-2 is also a potent angiogenic protein and a crucial agent for the proliferation, expansion, and survival of several cell types including those with stem cell properties. Human clinical trials have pointed to a good safety record for this protein. In this review, we will present a case for the low molecular weight isoform of fibroblast growth factor-2 (lo-FGF-2) as a very promising therapeutic agent to achieve powerful acute as well as sustained benefits for the heart, due to its cytoprotective and regenerative properties.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, St. Boniface Research Centre, University of Manitoba, 351 Taché Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. ekardami@sbrc.ca
authors.forename: Elissavet
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kardami
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Detillieux
authors.forename: Xin
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.forename: Zhisheng
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.forename: Jon-Jon
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Santiago
authors.forename: Sarah K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Jimenez
authors.forename: Peter A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Cattini
mesh_terms: D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D019157:Ischemic Preconditioning, Myocardial; D017202:Myocardial Ischemia / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009206:Myocardium; D032383:Myocytes, Cardiac; D051497:Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 2 / Q000502:physiology*; D015398:Signal Transduction
chemical_list: D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2; D051497:Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 2