Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 19, 2026

Evaluation of Keratinocyte Proliferation on Two- and Three-dimensional Type I Collagen Substrates
08:19

Evaluation of Keratinocyte Proliferation on Two- and Three-dimensional Type I Collagen Substrates

Published on: April 22, 2019

Hepatocyte growth factor suppresses transforming growth factor-beta-1 and type III collagen in human primary renal

Shan Mou1, Qin Wang, Beili Shi

  • 1Renal Division, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.

The Kaohsiung Journal of Medical Sciences
|October 28, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) may prevent diabetic kidney fibrosis by inhibiting transforming growth factor-beta-1 (TGF-beta1) signaling. HGF administration could be a novel therapeutic approach for diabetic nephropathy.

Area of Science:

  • Nephrology
  • Cell Biology
  • Molecular Medicine

Background:

  • Diabetic kidney disease is characterized by tubulointerstitial changes and renal fibrosis.
  • Transforming growth factor-beta-1 (TGF-beta1) is implicated in diabetic kidney fibrosis.
  • Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) has demonstrated therapeutic potential in animal models of kidney injury.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate if HGF's preventive effects on diabetic kidney fibrosis involve modulating TGF-beta1 signaling and collagen III secretion.
  • To examine the expression dynamics of HGF/c-Met and TGF-beta1 in renal fibroblasts under high-glucose conditions.
  • To determine the impact of recombinant human HGF on TGF-beta1 expression and collagen III production.

Main Methods:

  • Cultured human renal fibroblasts under high-glucose conditions.
  • Assessed HGF, c-Met, and TGF-beta1 expression using RT-PCR and Western blotting.
  • Quantified collagen III levels via ELISA.
  • Administered recombinant human HGF to evaluate dose-dependent effects.

Main Results:

  • HGF and c-Met expression were detected in renal fibroblasts within 6 hours of high-glucose exposure.
  • TGF-beta1 levels peaked at 96 hours under high-glucose conditions.
  • Recombinant human HGF significantly inhibited TGF-beta1 mRNA expression and reduced collagen III secretion by 34% in a dose-dependent manner.

Conclusions:

  • HGF inhibits TGF-beta1 signaling and type III collagen activation in renal fibroblasts during hyperglycemia.
  • The balance between HGF and TGF-beta1 is crucial in the pathogenesis of chronic renal fibrosis.
  • HGF administration represents a potential therapeutic strategy for managing renal fibrogenesis in diabetic nephropathy.

More Related Videos

Fibroblast-Derived 3D Matrix System Applicable to Endothelial Tube Formation Assay07:21

Fibroblast-Derived 3D Matrix System Applicable to Endothelial Tube Formation Assay

Published on: December 26, 2019

Induction of an Inflammatory Response in Primary Hepatocyte Cultures from Mice08:32

Induction of an Inflammatory Response in Primary Hepatocyte Cultures from Mice

Published on: March 10, 2017

Related Concept Videos

TGF - β Signaling Pathway01:16

TGF - β Signaling Pathway

The TGF-β signaling pathway regulates cell growth, differentiation, adhesion, motility, and development. TGF-β ligands that induce TGF-β signaling are synthesized in their latent form. Several proteases or cell surface receptors such as integrins act upon the latent form, releasing the active ligand. There are three types of mammalian TGF-βs: (TGF-β1, TGF-β2, and TGF-β3) that bind as homodimers or heterodimers to TGF-β receptors. The TGF-β receptors are of three kinds RI, RII, and RIII. The RI...
Liver Regeneration01:24

Liver Regeneration

The liver is an important organ in vertebrates that plays an essential role in metabolism. It is also responsible for storing and redistributing nutrients such as carbohydrates, fats, and vitamins in the body. Additionally, the liver releases bile salts which are critical for digesting food and eliminating toxic metabolites from the body.
Cells of Liver
The liver comprises four major types of cells— hepatocytes, stellate, Kupffer, and sinusoidal endothelial cells. The hepatocytes are large...
Type IV Collagen of Basal Lamina01:05

Type IV Collagen of Basal Lamina

Type IV collagen is a 400 nm long, network-forming collagen that acts as a barrier between the epithelial and endothelial cells. Type IV collagen  forms the backbone of the basement membrane by scaffolding with laminin, entactin, proteoglycans, and fibronectin. Apart from rendering structural support to the basement membrane, it also helps entail signaling potentials necessary for both pathological and physiological functions.
A type IV collagen molecule has six alpha chains which can exist in...
Introduction to Fibroblasts01:09

Introduction to Fibroblasts

Rudolph Virchow discovered spindle-shaped cells called fibroblasts in 1858. Inactive fibroblasts, called fibrocytes, become activated by various stimuli, such as growth factors and inflammatory cytokines. Activated fibroblasts play a crucial role in wound healing, inflammation, formation of new blood vessels, and cancer progression. Uncontrolled activation of fibroblasts results in fibrosis, the excess deposition of fibrous tissue, which can lead to scarring and affect normal organs. This...
Regulation of Angiogenesis and Blood Supply01:24

Regulation of Angiogenesis and Blood Supply

Rapidly dividing tumors, embryos, and wounded tissues require more oxygen than usual, lowering the oxygen concentration in the blood. At low oxygen or hypoxic conditions, an oxygen-sensitive transcription factor called the hypoxia-inducible factor 1 or HIF1 is activated. HIF1 is a dimeric protein of alpha (ɑ) and beta (β) subunits.  Under optimal oxygen conditions, HIF1β is present in the nucleus while HIF1ɑ remains in the cytosol. HIF1ɑ is hydroxylated by prolyl hydroxylase and factor...