Hepatocyte growth factor enhances B-cell activity.

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), is one of the growth factors induced and secreted into the serum of partially hepatectomized or hepatotoxin-treated mice that mediates regeneration of hepatic tissue. Results are presented here demonstrating that in addition to hepatotrophic effects, HGF also possesses immunologic activity. In particular, addition of HGF to B6C3F1 mouse spleen cell cultures enhanced humoral immune responses by augmenting the ability of B-cells to secrete immunoglobulin.