Biological and immunological properties of human hepatocyte growth factor from plasma of patients with fulminant hepatic failure.
We have recently purified human hepatocyte growth factor (hHGF), a heterodimer with molecular weight of about 83,000, from plasma of patients with fulminant hepatic failure (Gohda, E. et al., J. Clin. Invest. 81, 414-419, 1988). Biological and immunological properties of hHGF were examined. Out of the well-known growth factors tested, only epidermal growth factor (EGF) and transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha) stimulated DNA synthesis of adult rat hepatocytes in primary culture. hHGF enhanced the DNA synthesis at less than one-tenth of the molar concentrations of EGF and TGF-alpha. Half-maximal stimulations by hHGF, EGF and TGF-alpha were observed at 30, 400 and 900 pM, respectively. Maximal stimulation by TGF-alpha, however, was greater than those caused by hHGF and EGF. The effect of hHGF was additive with the maximal effects of EGF and TGF-alpha. Anti-hHGF antiserum was prepared in a rabbit by injecting with purified hHGF. This antiserum recognized nonreduced hHGF, but not reduced hHGF. The antiserum for hHGF did not inhibit growth-promoting activity of EGF, that was neutralized by incubation with anti-EGF antiserum. The activity of hHGF was completely inhibited by anti-hHGF antiserum, but not by anti-EGF antiserum. hHGF did not show any cross-reactivity to anti-EGF antiserum as measured by enzyme immunoassay for EGF. Thus, biological and immunological properties of hHGF are different from those of EGF and TGF-alpha.
Gohda
E
E
Department of Immunochemistry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University, Japan.
Yamasaki
T
T
Tsubouchi
H
H
Kurobe
M
M
Sakiyama
O
O
Aoki
H
H
Niidani
N
N
Shin
S
S
Hayashi
K
K
Hashimoto
S
S
D000818:Animals; D000941:Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004247:DNA / Q000096:biosynthesis; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000494:pharmacology; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000276:immunology* / Q000494:pharmacology; D017228:Hepatocyte Growth Factor; D006801:Humans; D015151:Immunoblotting; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008970:Molecular Weight; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D015291:Transforming Growth Factors / Q000494:pharmacology
D000941:Antigens; D006133:Growth Substances; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor; D017228:Hepatocyte Growth Factor; D015291:Transforming Growth Factors; D004247:DNA