Hepatocyte growth factor in normal and diseased bone and joint tissues.

Hepatocyte Growth Factor (HGF) is a multifunctional growth factor which, like its receptor c-Met, is widely expressed in osteoarticular tissues. HGF has profound effects on cell motility and differentiation and tissue morphogenesis and angiogenesis. HGF plays an important role in normal bone and cartilage turnover. Changes in HGF/c-Met have also been linked to pathophysiological changes in several bone and joint disorders. HGF has been implicated in the pathogenesis of inflammatory changes in rheumatoid synovium and in degenerative changes in osteoarthritis. HGF also influences bone remodelling and has significant effects on the proliferation and differentiation of osteoclast precursors, osteoclast activity and survival. A therapeutic role of HGF also has been proposed in the regeneration of osteoarticular tissues.