Fibroblast growth factors and their receptors in oligodendrocyte development: implications for demyelination and remyelination.

Fibroblast growth factors are a family of broad-spectrum growth factors influencing a plethora of cellular activities. The interaction of at least 23 ligands, 4 receptors and multiple coreceptors provides a dramatic complexity to a signaling system capable of effecting a multitude of responses. This review focuses on the fibroblast growth factors signaling in oligodendrocyte development, function and discusses implications for demyelination/remyelination. Copyright 2002 S. Karger AG, Basel