Background: Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) has been suggested to initiate both hepatocyte and tumor cell proliferation after partial hepatectomy, thereby supporting local tumor recurrence. The aim of this study was to clarify the role of HGF in the regeneration of human hepatocyte and the growth of residual hepatocellular carcinoma cells after liver resection. Patients/Methods: 36 patients who underwent partial hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) or living liver donation have been analyzed for HGF serum levels at day –1 through day 5 following surgery using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Isolated human hepatocytes and HCC cell lines (Hep 3B, Hep G2) were treated either with recombinant human (rh)-HGF, or sera from the 36 patients in the presence or absence of anti-HGF in order to measure their proliferative capacity using 3H-thymidine incorporation. Results: Basal HGF levels were significantly higher in HCC than in healthy patients (1,573 ± 131 vs. 778 ± 64 pg/ml; p < 0.001), however, the postoperative rise of HGF in healthy patients was higher (9,608 ± 3111 vs. 2,060 ± 148 pg/ml) than in HCC patients. Incubation of human hepatocytes and Hep 3B cells with rh-HGF revealed a dose-dependent increase in DNA synthesis, while anti-HGF partially abolished this effect. Sera from normal and resected HCC patients stimulated DNA synthesis only in human hepatocytes, whereas it was inhibited in HCC cell lines. Conclusion: HGF plays an important role in hepatocyte proliferation but contrary to in vitro results, HGF does not play a major role for the progression of hepatocarcinoma cells in vivo.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.