Hepatocyte growth factor and its receptor c-met in rat and rabbit vocal folds

Vocal fold fibrotic scar is characterized by fibrosis of the lamina propria and epithelium, and is difficult to treat. Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) has antifibrotic activity and has received attention as a possible therapeutic alternative to treat fibrosis. In this study, in order to clarify whether HGF can be involved in vocal fold scarring, we examined the existence of HGF and its receptor, c-Met, in rat vocal folds, and then the activity of HGF in rabbit injured vocal folds, using immunohistochemistry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. We found HGF and c-Met on epithelial cells and gland cells of the rat vocal folds. On the injured vocal folds of rabbits, little HGF was observed immediately after injury, but prominent activity occurred simultaneously with reepithelialization of the vocal fold mucosa on days 10 to 15. The activity of HGF was observed on fibroblasts in the lamina propria, as well as the epithelium. It is suggested that HGF in the vocal folds is produced by the fibroblasts and delivered to the epithelium. The implication of these findings is that HGF is involved in wound healing of the vocal fold, and may provide an alternative approach in preventing and treating vocal fold scarring.