Hepatotrophic Activities of HGF in Liver Regeneration after Injury and the Clinical Potentiality for Liver Diseases

摘要: One of an intriguing, unique property mammalian liver is its matchless ability to regenerate following injury and preserve own optimal size (reviewed in [1]). When 70% the rat resected, original mass their functions are almost restored within 10 days. Although there were few cells (no less than 0.1%) undergoing DNA synthesis intact liver, hepatocytes begin proliferate actively when subjected several kinds injury, such as hepatoectomy, ischemia, hepatitis. It had long been postulated that quiescent induced grow by a humoral factor, but molecular nature remained unknown. We identified purified potent mitogenic factor for adult hepatocytes, named hepatocyte growth (HGF)[2–4]. Molecular cloning both human HGF cDNAs was achieved 1989–1990, showing novel distinct from other known cytokines [5–7]. From our concurrent studies, now recognised long-sought, genuine hepatrophic functioning regeneration [8–11]). In this chapter we present work concerning mechanisms effective action hepatic dysfunction vivo.