Temporal expression of fibroblast growth factor re

Authors: Simon M Cool Charles P Snyman Victor Nurcombe Mark Forwood

Publish Date: 2003/12/23

Volume: 12, Issue: 5, Pages: 490-496

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Abstract

Following injury it is inherently difficult to completely restore the biomechanical properties of ligaments Relatively little is known about the cellular mechanisms controlling ligament healing Numerous studies have implicated fibroblast growth factors FGFs as key molecules during the initiation of the cellular proliferation differentiation migration and matrix deposition that characterise wound healing While current surgical emphasis concentrates on growth factor intervention the role of their cognate receptors FGFRs has largely been overlooked Following transection of the medial collateral ligament MCL in rabbits we examined FGFR expression over a 14day healing period Using semiquantitative RTPCR we observed a significant upregulation in FGFR2 expression after 3 days By 7 days post injury FGFR2 expression fell to basal levels in line with those of FGFR1 and 3 both of which remained unaffected by surgical transection These results demonstrate a role for FGFR2 in fibroblast and endothelial cell proliferation in damaged ligament and suggest a window for FGF therapy

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