Consistent Expression of HGF and C-met in the Perinatal Lung

Background: Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), an epithelial cell mitogen, has been shown to participate in normal lung development and in regeneration after lung injury. In human preterm infants, lower pulmonary HGF has been associated with more severe respiratory disease.

Objectives: We studied the protein expression of HGF and its receptor c-met during the perinatal period in the human lung.

Methods: Immunohistochemistry for HGF and c-met was performed on lung tissues from autopsies of 4 fetuses, 5 preterm infants, 5 term infants, and 4 infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia.

Results: Immunohistochemistry for HGF showed staining in all cases in mesenchymal cells (fibroblasts and cartilage cells). Additional staining was found in bronchial and distal airway epithelium. Immunohistochemistry for c-met showed staining in bronchial and distal airway epithelium, and in most cases in neutrophils.

Conclusions: The consistent expression of HGF and c-met during the perinatal period supports a physiological role for HGF in human lung development.