Effect of hepatocyte growth factor on synthesis of extracellular matrix in human gingival fibroblasts

Abstract

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), a multifunctional cytokine, mediates the interaction between mesenchymal cells and epithelial cells. We investigated mRNA expression of type I collagen and decorin in human gingival fibroblasts stimulated by HGF. We quantitatively analyzed mRNA expression using a real-time reverse trancriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) detection system. The mRNA expression of decorin increased significantly 12 hours after HGF stimulation, while that of collagen increased markedly at 24 hours. There was trace expression of IL-6 mRNA in both the experimental group and the controls. These results indicate that HGF may induce synthesis in the gingival fibroblasts of the extracellular matrix by an autocrine effect.