Hepatocyte Growth Factor (HGF)
Quick Facts
| Feature | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Hepatocyte Growth Factor |
| Abbreviation | HGF |
| Molecule Type | Recombinant Growth Factor |
| Family | Scatter Factor (SF)/HGF Family |
| Molecular Weight | ~80-90 kDa (Heterodimeric mature protein) |
| Primary Receptor | c-MET (MET Receptor Tyrosine Kinase) |
| Typical Working Concentration | 10-100 ng/mL |
| Common Stock Concentration | 10-100 μg/mL |
Overview
Hepatocyte Growth Factor (HGF), also known as Scatter Factor (SF), is a multifunctional growth factor that regulates cell proliferation, survival, migration, morphogenesis, and tissue regeneration. Initially identified as a potent mitogen for hepatocytes, HGF is now recognized as a key regulator of epithelial, endothelial, mesenchymal, stem, and progenitor cell biology.
HGF is widely used in stem cell culture, organoid systems, epithelial cell culture, liver biology, regenerative medicine, and cancer research.
Biological Function
HGF regulates numerous cellular processes, including:
- Promotes cell proliferation
- Enhances cell survival
- Stimulates cell migration (cell scattering)
- Supports tissue regeneration
- Induces branching morphogenesis
- Promotes angiogenesis
- Facilitates wound healing
Mechanism of Action
HGF binds to the c-MET receptor tyrosine kinase, leading to receptor dimerization and autophosphorylation.
Activated c-MET initiates several intracellular signaling pathways, including:
- PI3K-AKT pathway
- MAPK/ERK pathway
- STAT3 pathway
- PLCγ pathway
These signaling pathways regulate proliferation, migration, survival, differentiation, and morphogenesis.
Common Applications
HGF is widely used for:
- Hepatocyte culture
- Liver organoid culture
- Stem cell differentiation
- Epithelial cell culture
- Kidney organoid development
- Tissue engineering
- Regenerative medicine
- Cancer biology
- Wound healing studies
Cell Types Commonly Supplemented with HGF
| Cell Type | Typical Application |
|---|---|
| Primary Hepatocytes | Survival and maintenance |
| Liver Organoids | Growth and maturation |
| Human iPSCs | Directed differentiation |
| Human ESCs | Endoderm differentiation |
| Epithelial Cells | Proliferation |
| Renal Cells | Kidney differentiation |
| Mesenchymal Stem Cells | Expansion and survival |
| Endothelial Cells | Angiogenesis studies |
HGF supplementation should be optimized according to the differentiation protocol or cell type.
Typical Working Concentrations
| Application | Typical Concentration |
|---|---|
| Hepatocyte Culture | 10-20 ng/mL |
| Stem Cell Differentiation | 10-50 ng/mL |
| Organoid Culture | 20-100 ng/mL |
| Epithelial Cell Culture | 10-50 ng/mL |
Advantages
- Potent mitogenic and motogenic growth factor
- Promotes tissue regeneration
- Supports epithelial and stem cell survival
- Essential component of many organoid protocols
- Well-characterized c-MET signaling pathway
- Widely used in regenerative medicine research
Limitations
- Activity depends on c-MET receptor expression
- Sensitive to repeated freeze-thaw cycles
- Relatively expensive
- High concentrations may alter differentiation outcomes
- Frequently requires combination with additional growth factors
Related Growth Factors
Frequently combined with:
- Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF)
- Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 (FGF-2)
- Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF)
- Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 (IGF-1)
- Transforming Growth Factor-β (TGF-β)
- Oncostatin M (OSM)
See Also
- Growth Factor Handling and Storage Guide
- Liver Organoid Culture
- Hepatocyte Culture
- Stem Cell Differentiation
- DMEM/F-12 Medium
- B-27 Supplement
- c-MET Signaling
Key Takeaways
- HGF is a multifunctional growth factor that regulates proliferation, survival, migration, and tissue regeneration.
- It signals through the c-MET receptor tyrosine kinase, activating PI3K-AKT, MAPK/ERK, STAT3, and PLCγ pathways.
- HGF is widely used in hepatocyte culture, liver organoids, epithelial biology, and stem cell differentiation.
- It is an essential component of many regenerative medicine and organoid protocols.
- Typical working concentrations range from 10-100 ng/mL, depending on the application.
References
- Nakamura T et al. Nature (1989).
- Birchmeier C, Birchmeier W et al. Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology (2003).
- Freshney RI. Culture of Animal Cells: A Manual of Basic Technique and Specialized Applications.
- Thermo Fisher Scientific. Recombinant Human HGF Product Information.
- PeproTech. Recombinant Human HGF Product Datasheet.