Fibroblast growth factor 7 (FGF7) is a member of the FGF family, and acts exclusively through a subset of FGF receptor isoforms expressed predominantly by epithelial cells. FGF7 seems to act specifically on epithelial cells and stimulates proliferation, migration, and differentiation of these cells, and participates in epithelial protection and repair both in vitro and in vivo. It has also been shown to supplement several wound-healing properties of bioengineered skin and to induce autophagy in human keratinocytes. Additionally, FGF7 has a role in pluripotent stem cell differentiation to endodermal pancreatic-like insulin-producing cells and thymic epithelial cells.
