Placental defect and embryonic lethality in mice lacking hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor

摘要: HEPATOCYTE growth factor/scatter factor (HGF/SF) functions as a mitogen, motogen and morphogen for variety of cultured cells1–7. The genes HGF/SF its receptor (the c-met protooncogene product8) are expressed in many tissues during the embryonic periods adult9–14. is thought to mediate signal exchange between mesenchyme epithelia mouse development15. To examine physiological role HGF/SF, we generated mutant mice with targeted disruption gene. Here report that homozygous embryos have severely impaired placentas markedly reduced numbers labyrinthine trophoblast cells, die before birth. cells was stimulated by vitro, activity released allantois primary culture normal but not embryos. These findings suggest an essential mediator allantoic mesenchyme-trophoblastic interaction required placental organogenesis.