Regular Article
A Novel Vascular Modulator, Hepatocyte Growth Factor (HGF), as a Potential Index of the Severity of Hypertension

https://doi.org/10.1006/bbrc.1997.7800Get rights and content

Abstract

HGF (hepatocyte growth factor), a member of endothelium-specific growth factors, might contribute to protection and/or repair of vascular endothelial cells injured by high blood pressure (BP). If so, serum HGF level might be elevated in response to endothelial cell damage. To test this hypothesis, we measured serum levels of HGF in hypertensive and normotensive patients. Serum HGF concentration in hypertensive patients without any complication was significantly higher than normal subjects (p<0.001). Serum HGF concentration showed a significant positive correlation with BP (p<0.01). Interestingly, serum HGF concentration in hypertensive patients with complications was significantly higher than that in hypertensive patients without complication and normotensive subjects (p<0.01). Of importance, hypertensive patients treated with antihypertensive drugs showed the same level of serum HGF concentration as normotensive subjects (p<0.001). The present study demonstrated that serum concentration of HGF is significantly elevated dependent on the severity of hypertension, suggesting that HGF may be a new index of the severity of hypertension.

References (34)

  • P. Boros et al.

    Lancet

    (1995)
  • M. Nagaike et al.

    J. Biol. Chem.

    (1991)
  • Y. Nakamura et al.

    Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun.

    (1995)
  • K. Matsumoto et al.

    J. Biol. Chem.

    (1992)
  • Y. Liu et al.

    J. Biol. Chem.

    (1994)
  • E. Gohda et al.

    Cell Biol. Int. Rep.

    (1992)
  • C. Thuillez et al.

    Am. J. Hypertens.

    (1995)
  • T. Ito et al.

    Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun.

    (1993)
  • K. Matsumoto et al.

    Hepatocyte Growth Factor-Scatter Factor (HGF-SF) and C-Met Receptor

    (1993)
  • T. Nakamura

    Prog. Growth Factor Res.

    (1991)
  • M. Hamanoue et al.

    Hepatology

    (1992)
  • T. Igawa et al.

    Am. J. Physiol.

    (1993)
  • Y. Nakamura et al.

    J. Hypertens.

    (1996)
  • A. Okajima et al.

    Eur. J. Biochem.

    (1993)
  • Y. Nakamura et al.

    J. Hypertens.

    (1996)
  • J.M. Cohn et al.

    J. Hypertens.

    (1992)
  • Cited by (71)

    • Platelets and circulating CD34-positive cells as an indicator of the activity of the vicious cycle between hypertension and endothelial dysfunction in elderly Japanese men

      2017, Atherosclerosis
      Citation Excerpt :

      Therefore, participants with a high platelet count and a lower level of circulating CD34-positive cells should have a higher risk of hypertension from aggressive endothelial repair. Since endothelial dysfunction has been recognized as one of the initial mechanisms leading to increased arterial stiffness (atherosclerosis) [29], and bi-directional association between hypertension and arterial stiffness exists [1–3], platelet count should be positively associated with CIMT among subjects with hypertension. Furthermore, this positive association should be limited to subjects with a lower level of circulating CD34-positive cells due to the presence of aggressive endothelial repair.

    • Claudin-7 inhibits human lung cancer cell migration and invasion through ERK/MAPK signaling pathway

      2011, Experimental Cell Research
      Citation Excerpt :

      However, when occludin was transfected into these occludin-deficient cells, MAPK became activated and the increases in claudin-2 expression and apoptosis were diminished [37]. Nakamura's group at Osaka University was the first to purify and clone HGF [38]. HGF has been shown to exhibit a wide variety of biological activities including the stimulation of tumor proliferation, migration, invasion, and metastasis through c-Met receptor in a variety of cancers.

    View all citing articles on Scopus

    Goldenberg, I. D.Rosen, E. M.

    View full text