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The hepatocyte growth factor and its receptor
F Galimi1, M F Brizzi, P M Comoglio
1Department of Biomedical Sciences and Oncology, University of Turin, School of Medicine, Italy.
Stem Cells (Dayton, Ohio)
|July 1, 1993
Summary
Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) signaling, mediated by the MET receptor, is crucial for epithelial cells. Recent findings reveal HGF/MET expression in macrophages, suggesting a role in blood cell activation and differentiation.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor (HGF/SF) is a mesodermally secreted factor with potent mitogenic, motogenic, and morphogenic effects on epithelial and endothelial cells.
- HGF binds to the MET protooncogene receptor (p190MET), a tyrosine kinase receptor involved in cell signaling.
- p190MET is expressed in various epithelial tissues and overexpressed in neoplastic cells, but also found in microglia and macrophages.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression and potential role of the HGF/MET signaling pathway in peripheral blood cell populations.
- To determine if HGF/MET signaling is involved in the activation and differentiation of hemopoietic cell lineages.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of p190MET mRNA and protein expression in selected peripheral blood cell populations, including macrophages.
- Assessment of changes in p190MET expression upon cell activation.
Main Results:
- p190MET mRNA and protein were found at barely detectable levels in resting peripheral blood cells.
- Upon activation, p190MET expression (both mRNA and protein) was dramatically increased in these cells.
- This suggests that HGF/MET signaling is inducible in hemopoietic cells.
Conclusions:
- The HGF/MET signaling pathway is present and inducible in peripheral blood cells, particularly macrophages.
- These findings indicate a potential role for HGF in hemopoietic cell signaling, specifically during activation and differentiation processes.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the precise functions of HGF/MET in hematopoiesis.