Mouse Hepatocyte Growth Factor (HGF) Protein

Background

Hepatocyte Growth Factor (HGF), also known as scatter factor, is a multifunctional cytokine primarily secreted by mesenchymal cells. It plays a pivotal role in various physiological and pathological processes, including cell proliferation, migration, morphogenesis, and angiogenesis. HGF exerts its biological effects through binding to its receptor, c-MET, a tyrosine kinase receptor highly expressed on epithelial cells, endothelial cells, and other cell types. This ligand-receptor interaction activates numerous signaling pathways, such as PI3K/AKT and MAPK, promoting tissue regeneration and wound healing. HGF is critically involved in liver regeneration and repair mechanisms, hence its name, but it also has significant implications in tumor progression and metastasis in cancers where c-MET is overexpressed or dysregulated. Clinically, HGF and its receptor c-MET are being explored as therapeutic targets for cancer treatments, given their role in oncogenesis and tumor angiogenesis. Elevated HGF levels in plasma have also been investigated as potential biomarkers for various diseases, including liver dysfunction and cancers.