Fibroblast growth factor signaling controlling bone formation: An update

Fibroblast Growth Factors (FGFs) regulate prenatal and postnatal bone formation through activation of FGF receptors (FGFR) and downstream signaling events. During the last decade, major advances have been made in our understanding of the mechanisms by which FGF/FGFR signaling controls osteoprogenitor cell replication and osteoblast differentiation and function. The analysis of the phenotype induced by FGF invalidation and mutations in FGFR allowed to delineate key FGF signaling pathways that regulate osteoblastogenesis. Molecular genomic studies led to identify target genes that are controlled by FGF/FGFR signaling and govern osteoblasts. The analysis of intracellular signaling pathways showed the importance of functional crosstalks between FGF signaling and other pathways in the regulation of bone formation. These recent progresses in the mechanisms underlying FGF/FGFR signaling may provide a molecular basis for developing therapeutic strategies in human skeletal dysplasias.

► Recent progresses on the role of FGF/FGFR signaling in bone formation are reviewed.
► Key FGF signaling pathways that regulate osteoblastogenesis have been identified.
► Osteoblasts are governed by genes regulated by FGF/FGFR signaling.
► Crosstalks between FGF signaling and other pathways functionally control osteoblasts.
► This knowledge will help in developing therapeutic strategies in skeletal dysplasias.