FIBROBLAST GROWTH-FACTOR IN THE EYE AND PROSPECTS FOR ITS THERAPEUTIC USE

Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) is a monomeric mitogenic protein that exists as an acidic and a basic form and is distributed widely in tissues of the eye. Because FGF interacts with the cells and with the extracellular matrix, it has potential as a therapeutic agent, either alone or in combination with other agents such as epidermal growth factor, in promoting healing of corneal wounds, in restoring corneal endothelial cell loss due to dystrophic, degenerative, and surgical insults, as well as in regenerating lens cells after cataract surgery. Excess FGF probably plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of blinding disorders of the eye such as neovascular glaucoma, age‐related macular degeneration, and proliferative diabetic vitreoretinopathy, as well as failure of surgical filtering procedures for glaucoma. The use of transforming growth factor‐beta, anti‐FGF antibodies, and other blocking agents in the treatment of such diseases seems logical. Copyright © 1990 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.