keratinocyte growth factor keratinocyte growth factor the keratinocyte growth factor (kgf), also known as fgf7, is a growth factor present in the epithelialization-phase of wound healing. in this phase, keratinocytes are covering the wound, forming the epithelium. kgf is a small signaling molecule that binds to fibroblast growth factor receptor 2b (fgfr2b). for signalling to occur, a dimer is required between two fgf:fgfr complexes that is linked together by a molecule of heparin. there are 23 known fgfs, and 4 fgf receptors. fgf:fgfr binding is complex and regulated by a variety of mechanisms in a tissue specific manner. fgf10 is also known as "keratinocyte growth factor 2".