INVOLVEMENT OF HEPATOCYTE GROWTH-FACTOR IN KIDNEY DEVELOPMENT

Using PCR, hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and c-met (HGF receptor) exp ression were analyzed in the developing mouse kidney. Both HGF and c-m et were expressed from Gestational Day 11.5 onward, the time at which branching morphogenesis of ureteric bud occurs. Coculturing the embryo nic kidney with MDCK cells seeded in Type I collagen induced branching morphogenesis of the MDCK cells. When a monospecific antiserum agains t HGF was included in the culture medium, the branching morphogenesis induced by the embryonic kidney was markedly inhibited (73%). This ant i-HGF serum also inhibited metanephric growth when incubated with 11.5 - to 12.5-day embryonic kidneys in an organ culture assay. No inhibiti on was observed by nonimmune serum. Perturbation of ureteric duct deve lopment as well as extraductal metanephric development was observed in embryonic kidneys incubated with the anti-HGF serum. Together, our da ta indicates an important role for HGF in kidney development. (C) 1994 Academic Press, Inc.