Therapeutic angiogenesis using hepatocyte growth factor (HGF).
HGF is a mesenchyme-derived pleiotropic factor, which regulates cell growth, cell motility, and morphogenesis of various types of cells and is thus considered a humoral mediator of epithelial-mesenchymal interactions responsible for morphogenic tissue interactions during embryonic development and organogenesis. Although HGF was originally identified as a potent mitogen for hepatocytes, it has also been identified as a member of angiogenic growth factors. Interestingly, the presence of its specific receptor, c-met, is observed in vascular cells and cardiac myocytes. In addition, among growth factors, the mitogenic action of HGF on human endothelial cells was most potent. Recent studies have demonstrated the potential application of HGF to treat cardiovascular diseases such as peripheral vascular disease, myocardial infarction and cerebrovascular disease. In this review, we will discuss a potential therapeutic strategy using HGF in cardiovascular disease.
Morishita
Ryuichi
R
Department of Geriatric Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita 565-0871, Japan. morishit@gts.med.osaka-u.ac.jp
Aoki
Motokuni
M
Hashiya
Naotaka
N
Yamasaki
Keita
K
Kurinami
Hitomi
H
Shimizu
Shiro
S
Makino
Hirofumi
H
Takesya
Yasushi
Y
Azuma
Junya
J
Ogihara
Toshio
T
D000818:Animals; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000235:genetics / Q000628:therapy; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000235:genetics / Q000628:therapy; D015316:Genetic Therapy; D017228:Hepatocyte Growth Factor / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic / Q000187:drug effects; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects
D017228:Hepatocyte Growth Factor