Study on molecular mechanism of liver regeneration by platelet-derived factors

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Hepatocyte growth factor(HGF)has been discovered,purified,and molecularly cloned as a potent mitogen for mature hepatocytes. HGF is a heterodimeric molecule composed of a 69 kDa alpha-subunit and a 34 kDa beta-subunit and it contains four kringle domains in the alpha-subunit. HGF is produced by mesenchymal cells and predominantly acts on a wide variety of epithelial cells,as a mitogen(stimulation of cell growth),a motogen(stimulation of cell motility),and a morphogen(induction of multicellular tissue-like structure). Since HGF mRNA and HGF protein increase markedly after various hepatic and renal injuries,HGF acts not only as hepatotrophic factor for liver regeneration but also as a renotrophic factor for renal regeneration; intravenous injection of recombinant HGF into mouse remarkably enhances regeneration of the liver and kidney. HGF is now considered to play important roles for construction of normal tissue structure during embryogenesis,organogenesis,and organ regeneration through its uniquely suited ability to act as mitogen,motogen,and morphogen.