At the cellular level, FGFs bind to FGFRs, which triggers the activation of intracellular signaling pathways such as the MAPK, PI3K/Akt, and PLCγ pathways. These pathways lead to various cellular responses, including gene expression, cell growth, and survival. The interaction between FGFs and FGFRs is often modulated by heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs), which enhance the binding affinity and specificity of FGFs to their receptors.
