Identification of a fibroblast-derived epithelial morphogen as hepatocyte growth factor.
We have previously shown that Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) epithelial cells grown in collagen gels in the presence of fibroblasts or fibroblast-conditioned medium (CM) form branching tubules, instead of the spherical cysts that develop under control conditions. We now report that the fibroblast-derived molecule responsible for epithelial tubulogenesis is hepatocyte growth factor (HGF). First, addition of exogenous HGF to cultures of MDCK cells induces formation of epithelial tubules. Second, the tubulogenic activity of fibroblast CM is completely abrogated by antibodies to HGF. These results demonstrate that HGF, a polypeptide that was identified as a mitogen for cultured hepatocytes, has the properties of a paracrine mediator of epithelial morphogenesis, and suggest that it may play important roles in the formation of parenchymal organs during embryonic development.
Montesano
R
R
Department of Morphology, University Medical Center, Geneva, Switzerland.
Matsumoto
K
K
Nakamura
T
T
Orci
L
L
D000818:Animals; D000906:Antibodies; D000918:Antibody Specificity; D002460:Cell Line; D002999:Clone Cells; D003470:Culture Media; D046508:Culture Techniques / Q000379:methods; D004847:Epithelial Cells; D004848:Epithelium / Q000187:drug effects; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017228:Hepatocyte Growth Factor; D006801:Humans; D007700:Kinetics; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology / Q000494:pharmacology
D000906:Antibodies; D003470:Culture Media; D006133:Growth Substances; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D017228:Hepatocyte Growth Factor