Expression of hepatocyte growth factor and c-met genes during hepatic differentiation and liver development in the rat.

摘要: Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is a potent mitogen for mature hepatocytes in vitro. The receptor HGF has recently been characterized as the product of proto-oncogene c-met. We have examined possible involvement hepatic and differentiation rat. experimental systems used were acetylaminofluorene treatment combined with partial hepatectomy to induce proliferation oval cells adult liver pre- postnatal liver. In model, Northern blot analysis showed that level transcripts increased one day after hepatectomy, reached peak by 6, maintained at until 13, then declined, reaching normal 20 days. expression c-met also gradually, around 9 13 days which time cell was most prominent. developing liver, an elevated found between 4 21 birth. slightly same time. situ hybridization localized desmin-positive Ito cells, whereas strongly expressed cells. shown earlier proliferate simultaneously exist close proximity model are primary source factors such transforming factor-alpha acidic fibroblast factors. data presented here suggest is, combination other factors, involved via paracrine mechanism.