Fibroblast growth factor 7 (FGF7) is a secreted protein which is mainly located in epithelial cells and belongs to the heparin-binding growth factors family. FGF family members possess broad mitogenic and cell survival activities, and are involved in a variety of biological processes, including embryonic development, cell growth, morphogenesis, tissue repair, tumor growth and invasion. FGF7 is a potent epithelial cell-specific growth factor, whose mitogenic activity is predominantly exhibited in keratinocytes but not in fibroblasts and endothelial cells. It is possible major paracrine effector of normal epithelial cell proliferation.
