Hepatocyte growth factor in renal disease: cause or cure?

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is an injury-released growth factor with div erse effects on epithelial and endothelial cells. These effects include pro liferation, migration, extracellular matrix production and tubulogenesis. T hese activities allow HGF to function as an organizer of repair processes t hat bring about restoration of tubular function following renal injury. How ever, while HGF has been demonstrated to accelerate recovery of renal funct ion after an acute insult. prolonged exposure to elevated levels of HGF can reduce renal function and may contribute to progressive renal disease. Thi s review will describe the cellular activities of HGF, how they pertain to renal repair and the therapeutic application of regulating HGF activity in acute versus chronic renal disease.