Hepatocyte growth factor and alternative splice variants - expression, regulation and implications in osteogenesis and bone health and repair.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can differentiate into multiple cell types, including osteoblasts, chondrocytes, and adipocytes. These pluripotent cells secrete hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), which regulates cell growth, survival, motility, migration, mitogenesis and is important for tissue development/regeneration. HGF has four splice variants, NK1, NK2, NK3, and NK4 which have varying functions and affinities for the HGF receptor, cMET. HGF promotes osteoblastic differentiation of MSCs into bone forming cells, playing a role in bone development, health and repair.

Areas covered

This review will focus on the effects of HGF in osteogenesis, bone repair and bone health, including structural and functional insights into the role of HGF in the bo

SUBMITTER: Frisch RN 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5031543 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature