In vitro regulation of HGF-SF expression by epithelial-mesenchymal interactions

Studies of parameters which affect cellular proliferation, cellular differentiation together with studies of cell-cell interactions which affect cell behavior are particularly interesting in that they can be used to identify and characterise molecules which through changes in gene expression induce/inhibit cell proliferation, differentiation and movement. Such studies are crucial not only in the context of understanding growth and development, but also in understanding the processes of wound healing and regeneration as well as tumor invasion and metastasis. Here we present a summary of some cell culture models which we have developed for the study of the above-mentioned phenomenon, together with their application to the studies of regulation of HGF-SF expression.