Fibroblast growth factor 2 conjugated superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (FGF2-SPIONs) ameliorate hepatic stellate cells activation in vitro and acute liver injury in vivo

Role of fibroblast growth factor signalling in hepatic fibrosis

“…However, total FGFR1 expression levels were found to be increased in the liver of infants with biliary atresia that is associated with biliary fibrosis 68 and in adults with cirrhosis. 132 Functionally, FGFR1 inhibition suppressed HSC activation associated with reduced expression of collagen. 133 Also in vivo, FGFR1 inhibition significantly reduced collagen and α-SMA expression in CCl 4 -treated rats.…”

“…Fibroblast growth factor receptor 2B is exclusively expressed by hepatocytes in the liver, 64 whereas HSC express FGFR2C. 92,132 Increased FGFR2B expression levels were found in human livers with early stages of liver fibrosis and FGFR2B expression inversely correlated with the stage of fibrosis. 64 Also another study revealed elevated FGFR2B expression in mild fibrosis, but downregulation of FGFR2B in cirrhotic liver tissue, 135 which may be explained by a loss of hepatocytes and accordingly reduced proportion in total liver tissue during the progression of CLD.…”

“…9 In contrast, freshly isolated HSC do not express FGFR3B but FGFR3C, 92 and FGFR3C is upregulated in TGFβ treated LX2 cells. 132 Although FGFR3 plays an important role in HCC development and progression 9,103,137 and FGFR3 expression is elevated in human cirrhotic livers, 132 the functional role of FGFR3 and its isoforms has not yet been investigated in the context of hepatic fibrosis. A recent study revealed that FGF9-activated FGFR3 promoted fibrosis in systemic sclerosis through activation of profibrotic signalling pathways.…”

“…140 Furthermore, FGFR4 is expressed in HSC. 92,132 114,143 although FGF15/19 predominantly binds to the FGFR4/β-klotho receptor complex on hepatocytes. 107 These opposing findings might be explained by the observation that ablation of FGF15 indirectly affects liver fibrosis via increased bile acidactivated FXR and not by direct effects on HSC.…”

Growth Factors VEGF-A165 and FGF-2 as Multifunctional Biomolecules Governing Cell Adhesion and Proliferation

“…FGF-2 also proved its efficacy in the treatment of oral lichen planus [25] or vitiligo [26]. Animal studies also proved that FGF-2 is promising for regenerative therapy of spinal cord injury [27], of liver injury and liver diseases [28], or for treatment of alopecia [29]. It also enhanced the tendon-to-bone healing in a rabbit model [30].…”