MEDIATION OF RENAL CYST FORMATION BY HEPATOCYTE GROWTH-FACTOR

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is a potent mitogen for renal tubular c ells, and HGF and its receptor (c-met proto-oncogene product, Met) can induce lumen formation in epithelial cells. We measured the concentra tion of HGF in cyst fluids from patients with renal cystic diseases. T he concentration of HGF was high in proximal cyst fluid (mean 2.45 vs 0.42 ng/mL in distal cysts). Cyclic AMP concentration was higher in di stal than in proximal cysts (663 vs 6.0 pmol/L). mRNA of HGF and Met w ere cc-expressed in cyst walls from cases with polycystic kidney disea se. These findings suggest that HGF is a growth factor that may mediat e human renal cyst genesis.