Hepatocyte Growth Factor (HGF) is a pleiotropic cytokine that acts as a ligand for the MET receptor tyrosine kinase[@mainardi2020]. HGF is a mesenchyme-derived growth factor that promotes cell proliferation, survival, migration, and morphogenesis through MET signaling[@honda2018]. In the nervous system, HGF acts as a neurotrophic factor supporting neuronal survival and regeneration[@kitabayashi2019].
Hepatocyte Growth Factor (HGF) is a pleiotropic cytokine that acts as a ligand for the MET receptor tyrosine kinase[@mainardi2020]. HGF is a mesenchyme-derived growth factor that promotes cell proliferation, survival, migration, and morphogenesis through MET signaling[@honda2018]. In the nervous system, HGF acts as a neurotrophic factor supporting neuronal survival and regeneration[@kitabayashi2019].
Structure
HGF is a heterodimeric protein:
α-chain: 463 aa, contains N-terminal domain and kringle domains 1-4
β-chain: 234 aa, serine protease-like domain
Single chain precursor (pro-HGF): 697 aa
Mature HGF: αβ heterodimer linked by disulfide bond
Potential for oncogenic effects (MET pathway in cancer)
Must balance trophic effects with safety
Combination Therapy
HGF with neurotrophic factors
HGF with rehabilitation
Cell therapy combinations[@sato2015]
Key Publications
[@mainardi2020]: [Nakamura et al., HGF discovery (1989)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2554941/) [@honda2018]: [Bottaro et al., HGF as MET ligand (1991)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1843431/) [@kitabayashi2019]: [Maina & Klein, HGF in nervous system (1999)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10516561/) [@gherardi2006]: [Gherardi et al., HGF structure (2006)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16685150/) [@trusolino2010]: [Trusolino et al., MET signaling (2010)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20531348/) [@hgf2020]: [@7: Tsubata et al., HGF in AD (2020)] [@hgf2019]: [@8: Kurosaki et al., HGF in PD (2019)] [@hgf2021]: [@9: Koyama et al., HGF in ALS (2021)] [@sato2015]: [Sato et al., HGF clinical applications (2015)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26399243/)