The expression of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) in damaged human liver and kidney tissues.
OBJECTIVE
Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is a multipotent factor involved in tissue regeneration, tumor invasion and a lot of cellular repair processes. Recent studies revealed that interleukin 6 (IL-6) level was elevated in damaged human liver and kidney tissues. Since IL-6 is the major cytokine involved in cellular response to tissue injuries, its relationship with HGF in damaged human liver and kidney is suspected.


METHODS
We examined the RNA transcripts of HGF and IL-6 in 16 hepatic and 5 renal tumor tissues using in situ hybridization techniques.


RESULTS
Either HGF or IL-6 RNA transcripts was prominently detected in 86% of the samples (14 liver and 4 kidney). Intense signals were found in malignant cells. In liver tissues, intense signals were detected at the rim of regeneration, while in kidney tissues, signals were found in tubular and glomerular epithelium. Both HGF and IL-6 RNA transcripts were simultaneously detected in 11 hepatic (69%) and 4 renal (80%) samples.


CONCLUSIONS
The coexistence of the HGF and IL-6 transcripts suggests a close relationship of two cellular factors possibly with a complex genetic regulation.
Ho
R T
RT
Clinical Immunology Unit, Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong.
Liew
C T
CT
Lai
K N
KN
D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D002292:Carcinoma, Renal Cell / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000502:physiology; D017228:Hepatocyte Growth Factor / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000235:genetics*; D007668:Kidney / Q000473:pathology; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D009396:Wilms Tumor / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology
D015850:Interleukin-6; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D017228:Hepatocyte Growth Factor