Hepatocyte growth factor: A regulator of inflammation and autoimmunity

Nicolas Molnarfi; Mahdia Benkhoucha; Hiroshi Funakoshi; Toshikazu Nakamura; Patrice H Lalive

doi:10.1016/j.autrev.2014.11.013

Hepatocyte growth factor: A regulator of inflammation and autoimmunity

Autoimmun Rev. 2015 Apr;14(4):293-303. doi: 10.1016/j.autrev.2014.11.013. Epub 2014 Dec 1.

Authors

Nicolas Molnarfi¹, Mahdia Benkhoucha¹, Hiroshi Funakoshi², Toshikazu Nakamura³, Patrice H Lalive⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Pathology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland; Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Division of Neurology, Unit of Neuroimmunology and Multiple Sclerosis, University Hospital of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.
² Center for Advanced Research and Education, Asahikawa Medical University, Asahikawa, Japan.
³ Neurogen Inc., Nakahozumi, Ibaraki, Osaka, Japan.
⁴ Department of Pathology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland; Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Division of Neurology, Unit of Neuroimmunology and Multiple Sclerosis, University Hospital of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland; Department of Genetics and Laboratory Medicine, Laboratory Medicine Service, University Hospital of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland. Electronic address: patrice.lalive@hcuge.ch.

PMID: 25476732
DOI: 10.1016/j.autrev.2014.11.013

Abstract

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is a pleiotropic cytokine that has been extensively studied over several decades, but was only recently recognized as a key player in mediating protection of many types of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. HGF was reported to prevent and attenuate disease progression by influencing multiple pathophysiological processes involved in inflammatory and immune response, including cell migration, maturation, cytokine production, antigen presentation, and T cell effector function. In this review, we discuss the actions and mechanisms of HGF in inflammation and immunity and the therapeutic potential of this factor for the treatment of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.

Keywords: Autoimmune regulator; Autoimmunity; HGF; Inflammation; Therapy; c-Met.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Animals
Autoimmunity*
Hepatocyte Growth Factor / metabolism*
Humans
Inflammation / immunology*
Signal Transduction

Substances

Hepatocyte Growth Factor