Expression of Hepatocyte Growth Factor in Rat Skeletal Muscle

Abstract

The present study examined the localization of hepatocyte growth factor in rat skeletal muscle, and investigated whether levels of hepatocyte growth factor differ between skeletal muscles. Levels of hepatocyte growth factor in soleus and tibialis anterior muscles were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Localization of hepatocyte growth factor and proliferating cell nuclear antigen in the soleus muscle was visualized using immunofluorescence analysis. Level of hepatocyte growth factor was 3.2 ± 1.4 ng/g tissue in the soleus muscle and 3.4 ± 0.4 ng/g tissue in the tibialis anterior muscle. No significant differences were identified between muscles with differential contractile characteristics. Existence of hepatocyte growth factor was observed in cytoplasm of small cells conterminous to muscle fibers. Cells in a similar position displayed reactivity to proliferating cell nuclear antigen, suggesting that they represented activated skeletal muscle satellite cells. Hepatocyte growth factor is produced in normal rat skeletal muscle by activated skeletal muscle satellite cells.