Hepatocyte growth factor is a potent promoter of mitogenesis in cultured rat visceral glomerular epithelial cells.

: Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) was originally identified as an hepatotrophic factor inducing liver regeneration, and was also recently found to stimulate mitogenesis of various epithelial cells. In the present study, we examined the mitogenic effects of native and recombinant HGF on cells of rat visceral glomerular epithelial cell line (SGE1). Native and recombinant HGF each stimulated DNA synthesis in and growth of SGE1 cells to a remarkable degree. These mitogenic activities were dose-dependent, being detectable at 2.5 ng/ml and maximal at 20 ng/ml. Over 30% of SGE1 cells tested were shifted to S-phase by HGF alone, as judging by labeling index values. DNA synthesis stimulated by native or recombinant HGF was high at low SGE1 cell density and was strongly suppressed at high cell density. DNA synthesis in and growth of SGE1 cells were stimulated more strongly by recombinant HGF than by native HGF. In addition, the effects of recombinant HGF and epidermal growth factor were additive, while transforming growth factor-beta 1 strongly inhibited the stimulation of DNA synthesis by recombinant HGF. These findings suggest that HGF may play a role in controlling visceral glomerular epithelial cell growth.