| [ Summary ] |
Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) has been reported to inhibit the growth of hepatocellular carcinoma cells. However, it remains unclear whether HGF acts as a tumor suppressor in vivo. To clarify the in vivo effect, we have developed double transgenic mice of HGF with TGF alpha or c-myc. The c-myc/HGF transgenic mice developed less hepatoccllular adenoma than c-myc mice, and had no hepatocellular carcinoma. The rate of liver tumor development in TGF alpha / HGF transgenic mice was lower than that in TGF alpha mice. In total, this data suggests that HGF inhibits hepatocarcinogenesis in vivo. |