Overexpression of hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor promotes vascularization and granulation tissue formation in vivo.

The effect of hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor (HGF/SF) during wound healing in the skin was investigated, using HGF/SF-overexpressing transgenic mouse model. Histological analysis of HGF/SF transgenic mouse excisional wound sites revealed increased granulation tissue with marked vascularization. Northern blot analysis demonstrated that, relative to control, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in transgenic skin was significantly higher at baseline and was robustly up-regulated during wound healing. Elevated levels of VEGF protein were detected immunohistochemically, predominantly in endothelial cells and fibroblasts within the granulation tissue of HGF/SF transgenic skin. Serum levels of VEGF were also elevated in HGF/SF transgenic mice. Thus, results from our study suggest that HGF/SF has a significant effect on vascularization and granulation tissue formation during wound healing in vivo, involving with induction of VEGF.