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Showing posts with the label Keratinocyte Growth Factor (KGF)

What Exactly is Keratinocyte Growth Factor (KGF)?

Can Keratinocyte Growth Factor (KGF) really slow down balding and maintain healthy hair growth? The Keratinocyte Growth Factor (KGF), also known as FGF7, is a growth factor present in the epithelialization-phase of wound healing. In this phase, keratinocytes are covering the wound, forming the epithelium. KGF is a small signalling molecule that binds to fibroblast growth factor receptor 2b (FGFR2b). For signalling to occur, a dimer is required between two FGF:FGFR complexes that is linked together by a molecule of heparin. There are 23 known FGFs, and 4 FGF receptors. FGF:FGFR binding is complex and regulated by a variety of mechanisms in a tissue specific manner. FGF10 is also known as "Keratinocyte growth factor 2". KGF is a member of the fibroblast growth factor family and has been found to stimulate hair growth. Our cells respond to KGF because they have receptors on the cell membrane that recognise this growth factor, which is normally present in our body but whic