Description
Fibroblast growth factor 7 (FGF7) is a member of the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) family of proteins. FGF7 plays an important role in regulating the proliferation, migration, and differentiation of cells. FGF7 is of stromal origin and produces a paracrine effect on epithelial cells. FGF7 is a mesenchyme-specific heparin-binding growth factor that binds FGF receptor 2 (FGFR2) to regulate numerous cellular and physiological processes. FGF7/FGFR2 promotes invasion and migration in human gastric cancer. FGF7 is specifically utilized as a paracrine factor during the process of differentiation of the epidermal layers in the regenerating scales and in particular for beta-cells differentiation. FGF7 over expression is associated with advanced clinical features in patients with upper tract and bladder urothelial carcinoma, justifying its potential prognostic value for urothelial carcinoma.