The proximal tubule epithelium regenerates following nephrotoxic damage. To determine the role of fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) in the regeneration of rat proximal tubule epithelial (RPTE) cells, we investigated proliferation, differentiation, and FGF-1 expression in vivo in rat kidney before and after nephrotoxic damage to the proximal tubule epithelium caused by S-(1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethyl)-L-cysteine administration. In undamaged kidneys, FGF-1 was expressed in distal tubule elements, including cortical and medullary collecting ducts, as well as in blood vessels and glomeruli, but was absent in RPTE. One day after damage, there was an increase in proliferation of surviving proximal tubule epithelial cells and a coincident increase in FGF-1 expression in invading mononuclear cells. After this initial burst of proliferation, FGF-1 expression increased in poorly differentiated vimentin-positive regenerative epithelial cells, indicating that autocrine FGF-1 expression in the regenerative epithelium is a later event in the regeneration process. FGF-1 staining persisted in foci of macrophages, interstitial cells, and nephropathic tubules within areas of interstitial expansion 2 wk after damage. We concluded that transient paracrine and autocrine expression of FGF-1 could play mitogenic and/or morphogenic roles during tubular regeneration. Persistent expression in macrophages, fibroblasts, and nephropathic tubules may be associated with tubular degeneration. FGF-1 expression may be an important contributor to both tubular regeneration and degenerative disease following toxicant exposure.