Distribution of the Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor and Its Receptor Gene Expression in Normal and Degenerated Rat Intervertebral Discs

Abstract

Basic fibroblast growth factor is suggested to promote proliferation of chondrocytes in degenerated discs in an autocrine or paracrine manner. Basic fibroblast growth factor may be related to intervertebral disc degeneration as a proliferation-stimulating factor of chondrocytes that replace normal anular cells during disc degeneration.