title: Hepatocyte growth factor: A regulator of inflammation and autoimmunity.
abstract: Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is a pleiotropic cytokine that has been extensively studied over several decades, but was only recently recognized as a key player in mediating protection of many types of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. HGF was reported to prevent and attenuate disease progression by influencing multiple pathophysiological processes involved in inflammatory and immune response, including cell migration, maturation, cytokine production, antigen presentation, and T cell effector function. In this review, we discuss the actions and mechanisms of HGF in inflammation and immunity and the therapeutic potential of this factor for the treatment of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland; Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Division of Neurology, Unit of Neuroimmunology and Multiple Sclerosis, University Hospital of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Nicolas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Molnarfi
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland; Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Division of Neurology, Unit of Neuroimmunology and Multiple Sclerosis, University Hospital of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Mahdia
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Benkhoucha
authors.affiliation: Center for Advanced Research and Education, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan.
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Funakoshi
authors.affiliation: Neurogen Inc., Nakahozumi, Ibaraki, Osaka, Japan.
authors.forename: Toshikazu
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nakamura
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland; Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Division of Neurology, Unit of Neuroimmunology and Multiple Sclerosis, University Hospital of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland; Department of Genetics and Laboratory Medicine, Laboratory Medicine Service, University Hospital of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland. Electronic address: patrice.lalive@hcuge.ch.
authors.forename: Patrice H
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Lalive
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015551:Autoimmunity; D017228:Hepatocyte Growth Factor / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000276:immunology*; D015398:Signal Transduction
chemical_list: D017228:Hepatocyte Growth Factor
keywords: Autoimmune regulator; Autoimmunity; HGF; Inflammation; Therapy; c-Met