1 · Growth factors & blood derivatives
KGF (FGF-7) & HGF — epithelial–stromal crosstalk factors
Review — modulators of corneal healing › 1 · Growth factors & blood derivatives › KGF (FGF-7) & HGF — epithelial–stromal crosstalk factors
KGF (FGF-7) & HGF — epithelial–stromal crosstalk factors
Keratinocyte growth factor / hepatocyte growth factor · keratocyte→epithelium paracrine signals · mostly preclinical in the cornea
Oxford IV–V (preclinical)
Investigational
Future · longstanding concept
Mechanism of actionKGF (FGF-7) and HGF are produced by stromal keratocytes and act in paracrine fashion on the epithelial receptors KGFR (FGFR2-IIIb) and c-Met — a major support of the epithelial–stromal regulatory loop. They stimulate epithelial proliferation, migration and differentiation and modulate the wound-healing response (their expression is induced after injury, in parallel with EGF). HGF also has effects on motility and a potential anti-fibrotic role.
Indications (potential)Epithelial defects, delayed re-epithelialization after PRK, keratopathies — no established clinical indication; interest remains conceptual/translational.
Route & dosageTopical in animal/in vitro models (recombinant KGF/KGF-2); no human corneal dosing regimen. Note: palifermin (recombinant KGF-1) is approved IV for oral mucositis, not for the eye; repifermin (KGF-2) remained experimental.
Level of evidenceOxford IV–V (solid preclinical data: HGF/KGF/EGF mRNA induction after injury, accelerated healing in vivo in animals) · Scale: Investigational — no corneal clinical trial.
| FDA | No corneal product; palifermin (KGF-1) approved IV for mucositis (non-ocular). |
|---|---|
| EU MA | Same — no ocular agent; palifermin (Kepivance) approved for mucositis. |
| France / USA / Asia | Research only for the cornea. |
Key studies: Wilson SE et al., HGF/KGF/EGF mRNA expression after epithelial injury, Exp Eye Res 1999 — PMID 10192796; Sotozono C et al., KGF accelerates epithelial healing in vivo, Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 1995 — PMID 7601632; KGF-2 in a CO₂ laser injury model, 2010 — PMID 20522961; Rajan MS et al., effect of KGF on post-PRK migration, J Cataract Refract Surg 2004 — PMID 15474836.
See also: Gabison E. “Corneal wound-healing agents”. In: SFO 2023 Report — Médicaments et biothérapies en ophtalmologie, chapter 21. Full text, open access (in French).