Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) mediate multiple developmental signals in vertebrates. Several of these factors are expressed in limb bud structures that direct patterning of the limb. FGF4 is produced in the apical ectodermal ridge (AER) where it is hypothesized to provide mitogenic and morphogenic signals to the underlying mesenchyme that regulate normal limb development. Mutation of this ge...

Fibroblast growth factor-4 (FGF4) is expressed in embryonic stages and in adult tissues, where it plays critical roles in modulating multiple cellular functions. However, the exact roles of FGF4 on proliferation and differentiation of embryonic stem cells (ESCs) are not completely understood. Exogenous addition of FGF4 stimulated proliferation of mouse ESCs (mESCs), as proven by the increases i...

OBJECTIVES We investigated the potentiation of gene therapy using fibroblast growth factor 4 (FGF4)-gene by combining plasmid deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) with biodegradable gelatin hydrogel (GHG). BACKGROUND Virus vectors transfer genes efficiently but are biohazardous, whereas naked DNA is safer but less efficient. Deoxyribonucleic acid charges negatively; GHG has a positively charged struct...

BACKGROUND Gene therapy stimulating the growth of blood vessels is considered for the treatment of peripheral and myocardial ischemia. Here we aimed to achieve angiogenic synergism between vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A, VEGF) and fibroblast growth factor 4 (FGF4) in murine normoperfused and ischemic limb muscles. METHODS Adeno-associated viral vectors (AAVs) carrying β-galactos...

Pattern in the developing limb depends on signaling by polarizing region mesenchyme cells, which are located at the posterior margin of the bud tip. Here we address the underlying cellular mechanisms. We show in the intact bud that connexin 43 (Cx43) and Cx32 gap junctions are at higher density between distal posterior mesenchyme cells at the tip of the bud than between either distal anterior o...

Several fibroblast growth factor (FGF) isoforms act to stimulate epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) during cancer progression. FGF4 and FGF7 are two ligands of FGF receptor 2 (FGFR2). Using two lung adenocarcinoma (ADC) cell lines, A549 and H1299, we showed that FGF4, but not FGF7, altered cell morphology, promoted EMT-associated protein expression, and enhanced cell proliferation, migrati...

A major function of the limb bud apical ectodermal ridge (AER) is to produce fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) that signal to the underlying mesenchyme. Previous studies have suggested that of the four FGF genes specifically expressed in the mouse AER, Fgf8 is unique not only in its expression pattern, but also because it is the only such FGF gene that causes limb skeletal abnormalities when ind...

ectoderm/extraembryonic ectoderm in the peri-implantation embryos, have the capacity to self-renew in the presence of FGF4 and mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs). Using an in vitro system of embryonic stem (ES) cells, we have reported that the trophoblast lineage can be specified by activation of Cdx2. During differentiation, cells can adopt stem cell fate in the presence of FGF4/MEFs, otherwis...

ectoderm/extraembryonic ectoderm in the peri-implantation embryos, have the capacity to self-renew in the presence of FGF4 and mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs). Using an in vitro system of embryonic stem (ES) cells, we have reported that the trophoblast lineage can be specified by activation of Cdx2. During differentiation, cells can adopt stem cell fate in the presence of FGF4/MEFs, otherwis...