Human hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) in the aqueous humor

Using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, we measured the concentration of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) in human aqueous humor and serum from 36 eyes of 33 patients and analyzed the relationship between HGF and several parameters of corneal endothelial cells. Aqueous HGF concentrations ranged from 0.020-0.194 ng/mL (average: 0.101 +/- 0.044 ng/mL) and was correlated positively with corneal endothelial cell density (r = 0.343, P = 0.04). The aqueous HGF level did not correlate with other corneal endothelial cell parameters or the serum HGF level. The HGF receptor, c-Met, was found in the corneal endothelial cell membranes. This study suggests that the aqueous humor HGF is a factor which maintains an integrity of corneal endothelial cells.