FGFs/FGFRs and neuroinflammatory diseases: mechanism, drug therapies and delivery systems

Fibroblast Growth Factors and Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptors (FGFs/FGFRs) constitute a complex and diverse signaling system crucial in various biological processes, such as cell proliferation, differentiation, migration, and survival. Dysregulation of the FGFs/FGFRs system plays a key role in the progression of neurological diseases through the neuroinflammatory process. FGFs/FGFRs have become a key target of novel drugs in recent years for the treatment of neurological diseases. Notably, drug delivery systems can enhance the clinical therapeutic efficacy of these drugs. This review highlights the critical role of FGFs/FGFRs in various neuroinflammatory diseases and provides an overview of the current research on FGFs/FGFRs-targeted therapeutic drugs, their novel delivery systems, and development potential. Advances in this field can enhance further application of potential drugs, offering new insights and approaches for treating neuroinflammatory diseases, thus reducing the incidence and progression. Moreover, this review summarizes the structure and function of FGFs/FGFRs, elucidates the signaling pathways through which the FGFs/FGFRs system is involved in neuroinflammatory diseases (Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD)), and emphasizes the key role of FGFs/FGFRs system in disease progression. Furthermore, the current anti-inflammatory drugs targeting the FGFs/FGFRs system, including direct FGF modulators and indirect FGF modulators, have been summarized. The positive impact of the development of novel drug delivery systems, such as liposomes, microspheres, and hydrogels, on therapeutic outcomes has also been discussed. Therefore, this review may offer guidance and insights for the management of neuroinflammatory disorders.