Abstract
Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) was discoverd and cloned as a hepatotropic factor in our laboratory. HGF is now recognized to play an essential role in tissue repair and organ protection during progression of parenchymal injuries. In the recent 10 years, we have demonstrated that HGF is useful as a therapeutic agent in several organ failures, using animal models. For example, HGF prevents onset of acute organ failure, such as fulminant hepatitis, acute renal failure and myocardial infarction. Furthermore, HGF accelerates tissue repair and stimulates recovery from the organ dysfunctions as a tissue repair factor. Of importance, HGF could improve pathophysiological conditions in chronic fibrotic clisorders (including liver cirrhosis, chronic renal failure, cardiomyopathy and so on), accompanied with parenchymal regeneration and reduction in interstitial fibrosis. Based on the experimental backgrounds, HGF gene therapy has been initiated in Japan, focusing on ASO patients. We discuss herein a possible clinical use of HGF as a self-repair therapy for several injured organs.
