The role of fibroblast growth factor and the extracellular matrix in the control of proliferation and differentiation of corneal endothelial cells

Recent observations made in our laboratory on the control of corneal endothelial cell proliferation by fibroblast growth factor (FGF) and the extracellular matrix produced by these cells in culture are being reviewed. Our results indicate that maintaining cells on an extracellular matrix results in the same rapid proliferation and subsequent cellular differentiation as that observed with cultures maintained on plastic and exposed to FGF. The extracellular matrix therefore has the same effect as FGF insofar as the induction of cell growth is concerned. This confirms previous observations that the substrate upon which cells rest is an important factor in controlling their proliferation.