FGF basic belongs to the family of heparin-binding growth factors. It functions as a wide-spectrum mitogenic, angiogenic, and neurotrophic factor and stimulates the proliferation of a wide variety of cells including mesenchymal, neuroectodermal, and endothelial cells. FGF basic has also been implicated in a multitude of physiological and pathological processes, including limb development, angiogenesis, wound healing, and tumor growth.