Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) results in neural tissue loss and so far untreatable functional impairment. In addition, at the initial injury site, inflammation induces secondary damage, and glial scar formation occurs to limit inflammation-mediated tissue damage. Consequently, it obstructs neural regeneration. Many studies have been conducted in the field of SCI; however, no satisfactory treatment has been established to date. Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is one of the neurotrophic growth factors and has been listed as a candidate medicine for SCI treatment. The highlighted effects of HGF on neural regeneration are associated with its anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic activities. Moreover, HGF exerts positive effects on transplanted stem cell differentiation into neurons. This paper reviews the mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effects of HGF in SCI recovery, and introduces recent advances in the clinical applications of HGF therapy.
Highlights
Spinal cord injury (SCI) often occurs due to a physical damage that results in a contusion or compression of the spinal cord
To gain further insights into the effects and benefits of Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) on neural tissue regeneration, we review the molecular mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effects of HGF in the spinal cord
It was suggested that endogenous HGF within the spinal cord of aged mice could be enough to assure therapeutic effects when combined with neural stem cell (NSC) transplantation, in the acute phase of SCI [17]
Summary
Spinal cord injury (SCI) often occurs due to a physical damage that results in a contusion or compression of the spinal cord. HGF/c-Met signaling is essential for HGF to exert therapeutic effects in various cells and tissues In major organs, such as the liver, kidney, and lung, HGF activity and its interaction with c-Met increase immediately after an injury [13,14,15]. It was suggested that endogenous HGF within the spinal cord of aged mice could be enough to assure therapeutic effects when combined with neural stem cell (NSC) transplantation, in the acute phase of SCI [17]. These reports partially revealed the dynamics of HGF production in animal spinal cord injury; the dynamics of HGF and c-Met expression in human spinal cord after SCI remain unknown
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