[Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and its therapeutic applications].

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) also known as "scatter factor" (SF), was identified for the first time as a potent mitogen of primary cultured hepatocytes; it has multiple biological responses in a variety of cells including mitogenic, motogenic, morphogenic and antiapoptotic activities. It is secreted as an inactive single chain protein and isproteolitically cleaved to form an active two chain HGF. The hepatocyte growth factor activator (HGFA) is the principal activator of HGF. HGF exerts its biological effects through transmembrane tyrosine kinase receptor (c-Met). HGF is a growth factor displaying a remarkable ability to promote tissue repair and organ regeneration after injury. Therefore attention should be set on the clinical potential of HGF as a treatment for various diseases.