Roles of hepatocyte growth factor and mast cells in thrombosis and angiogenesis.
Concentrations of the circulating hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) increase in the very early phase of acute myocardial infarction, and are a marker of arterial thrombosis. A recently developed, highly sensitive HGF assay can detect the early stages of arterial thrombosis in patients with unstable angina pectoris, acute aortic dissection and pulmonary thromboembolism. Heparin rapidly induces the release of HGF into the circulation, and HGF is a major factor involved in heparin-induced angiogenesis. Furthermore, the activation of mast cells by thrombus formation releases HGF into the circulation. This new pathway, thrombus formation-mast cell activation- degranulation-heparin-HGF-angiogenesis, may be both diagnostically useful and a therapeutic target.
Matsumori
Akira
A
Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, 54 Kawahara-cho Shogoin, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan. amat@kuhp.kyoto-u.ac.jp
D000787:Angina Pectoris / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D000818:Animals; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002544:Cerebral Infarction / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D003328:Coronary Thrombosis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006493:Heparin / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017228:Hepatocyte Growth Factor / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic / Q000187:drug effects
D000925:Anticoagulants; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents; D017228:Hepatocyte Growth Factor; D006493:Heparin