OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to investigate whether a novel fibroblast growth factor-2 gene formulation, providing a localized and sustained availability of the adenoviral vector from a collagen-based matrix, in combination with CO 2 transmyocardial laser revascularization would lead to an enhanced angiogenic response and improved myocardial function. METHODS Fibroblast growth fac...

Keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) belongs to the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) family, and its activity seems to be restricted to epithelial cells. It elicits its biological effects through binding to the KGF receptor (KGFR), a splicing transcript variant of FGF receptor 2 (FGFR2). The presence of multiple isoforms of FGFR2 and the overlapping specificities of the FGFs with respect to their rec...

OBJECTIVE This study was undertaken to investigate the role of the angiogenic factors vascular endothelial growth factor and basic fibroblast growth factor in the development and progression of Barrett esophagus and adenocarcinomas of the esophagus and gastroesophageal junction. METHODS Vascular endothelial growth factor and basic fibroblast growth factor messenger RNA expression levels, rela...

The initiation and morphogenesis of cutaneous appendages depend on a series of reciprocal signaling events between the epithelium and mesenchyme of the embryonic skin. In the development of feather germs, early dermal signals induce the formation of epidermal placodes that in turn signal the mesoderm to form dermal condensations immediately beneath them. We find a spatially and temporally restr...

Four well-defined heparan sulfate (HS) block copolymers containing S-domains (high sulfo group content) placed adjacent to N-domains (low sulfo group content) were chemoenzymatically synthesized and characterized. The domain lengths in these HS block co-polymers were ~40 saccharide units. Microtiter 96-well and three-dimensional cell-based microarray assays utilizing murine immortalized bone ma...

BACKGROUND One of the main challenges in skin flap surgery is tissue ischemia and following necrosis. The present study compares the effects of fibroblast growth factors 1 and 2 on increasing cutaneous vasculature, improving ischemia, and preventing distal necrosis in ischemic skin flaps in rat model. METHODS Thirty rats were allocated into 3 groups (n=10) and 2×8 cm dorsal random-pattern ski...