Description
Keratinocyte Growth Factor (KGF) is a highly specific epithelial mitogen produced by fibroblasts and mesenchymal stem cells. KGF belongs to the heparin binding Fibroblast Growth Factor (FGF) family, and is known as FGF-7. However, in contrast to FGF-1, which binds to all known FGF receptors with high affinity, KGF only binds to a splice variant of the FGF receptor, FGFR2-IIIb. FGFR2-IIIb is expressedby most epithelial cells, indicating KGF’s roleas a paracrine mediator. KGF induces the differentiation and proliferation of various epithelial cells such as keratinocytes in the epidermis, hair follicles and sebaceous glands., KGF is also responsible for wound repair of various tissuesincluding lung, bladder, and kidney.