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Kellerer T, Sailer B, Byers P, Barnkob R, Hayden O, Hellerer T. Two-photon microscopy of acoustofluidic trapping for highly sensitive cell analysis. LAB ON A CHIP 2024; 24:3456-3469. [PMID: 38895892 DOI: 10.1039/d4lc00144c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
We combine two-photon-excited fluorescence microscopy and acoustofluidic trapping in a spherical microchamber to in vitro study cells and cell clusters three-dimensionally close to in vivo conditions. The two-photon microscopy provides the in-depth 3D analysis of the spherical microchamber dimensions as well as the positions of trapped samples therein with high spatial precision and high temporal resolution enabling even tracking of the fast moving particles. Furthermore, optical sectioning allows to gather information of individual cells in trapped cell clusters inside the chamber. We demonstrate real-time monitoring of osmosis in A549 lung cells and red blood cells as one possible biomedical application. The observed osmosis reduced the cell membrane diameter by approximately 4 μm in the A549 cells and by approximately 2 μm in the red blood cells. Our approach provides an important optical tool for future investigations of cell functions and cell-cell interactions avoiding wall-contact inside an acoustofluidic device.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Kellerer
- Multiphoton Imaging Lab, Munich University of Applied Sciences, 80335 Munich, Germany.
| | - Bettina Sailer
- Heinz-Nixdorf-Chair of Biomedical Electronics, School of Computation, Information and Technology, Technical University of Munich, TranslaTUM, 81675 Munich, Germany
| | - Patrick Byers
- Multiphoton Imaging Lab, Munich University of Applied Sciences, 80335 Munich, Germany.
| | | | - Oliver Hayden
- Heinz-Nixdorf-Chair of Biomedical Electronics, School of Computation, Information and Technology, Technical University of Munich, TranslaTUM, 81675 Munich, Germany
| | - Thomas Hellerer
- Multiphoton Imaging Lab, Munich University of Applied Sciences, 80335 Munich, Germany.
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Wang X, Yan L, Tang Y, He X, Zhao X, Liu W, Wu Z, Luo G. Anti-inflammatory effect of HGF responses to oral traumatic ulcers using an HGF-Tg mouse model. Exp Anim 2021; 71:204-213. [PMID: 34819402 PMCID: PMC9130041 DOI: 10.1538/expanim.21-0141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) has been implicated in inhibiting diverse types of inflammation. Oral traumatic ulceration (OTU) is a common disease of the oral mucosa, and inflammation is
the main process for ulcer healing. This study aimed to explore the expression of HGF in oral ulcers and its role in ulcer inflammation. The saliva of 14 recurrent alphous stomatitis (RAS)
patients, 18 OTU patients and 17 healthy controls was collected. Traumatic ulcers of the left mucosa were observed in 42 wild-type (WT) and 42 HGF-overexpressing transgenic (HGF-Tg) mice.
Histological scores, inflammatory cell expression and serum cytokine expression were measured and analyzed on the 5th day. The HGF protein level in ulcer-affected human saliva was 9.3-fold
higher than that in healthy saliva. The HGF protein levels in RAS and OTU saliva were 14- and 5.7-fold higher, respectively, than those in healthy saliva. Traumatic ulcers enhanced HGF
expression in ulcer-affected oral mucosa and in the blood of C57BL/6 mice by 1.21- and 1.40-fold, respectively. In HGF-Tg mouse traumatic ulcers, HGF expression was 1.34-fold higher than
that in wild-type mice. HGF-Tg mice had lower weight loss, less ulcer area and lower histopathology scores than WT mice. The results from immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry and serum
cytokine analysis showed that HGF-Tg animals presented fewer Ly6G-positive neutrophils and higher levels of circulating inflammatory cytokines. HGF overexpression alleviated weight loss,
ulcer area and inflammation, suggesting the role of HGF in promoting the healing of oral ulcers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinhong Wang
- Department of Oral Medicine, Affiliated Stomatology Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Basic and Applied Research in Oral Regenerative Medicine
| | - Liting Yan
- Department of Oral Medicine, Affiliated Stomatology Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Basic and Applied Research in Oral Regenerative Medicine.,Wuxi Stomatology Hospital
| | - Yinghua Tang
- Department of Oral Medicine, Affiliated Stomatology Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Basic and Applied Research in Oral Regenerative Medicine
| | - Xiaoxi He
- Department of Oral Medicine, Affiliated Stomatology Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Basic and Applied Research in Oral Regenerative Medicine
| | - Xiaomin Zhao
- Department of Oral Medicine, Affiliated Stomatology Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Basic and Applied Research in Oral Regenerative Medicine
| | - Weijia Liu
- Department of Oral Medicine, Affiliated Stomatology Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Basic and Applied Research in Oral Regenerative Medicine
| | - Zhicong Wu
- Department of Oral Medicine, Affiliated Stomatology Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Basic and Applied Research in Oral Regenerative Medicine
| | - Gang Luo
- Department of Oral Medicine, Affiliated Stomatology Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Basic and Applied Research in Oral Regenerative Medicine
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Clinical Significance of Hepatocyte Growth Factor and Transforming Growth Factor-Beta-1 Levels in Assessing Disease Activity in Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Can J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2020; 2020:2104314. [PMID: 32377513 PMCID: PMC7196971 DOI: 10.1155/2020/2104314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2020] [Accepted: 02/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Background. Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) are inflammatory cytokines which function as key regulators of immunological homeostasis and inflammatory responses. They have been linked to inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). In this study, we aim to assess the levels of TGF-β and HGF and other inflammatory markers in patients with IBD and correlate them with the disease activity. Study Design. A cross-sectional study involving 100 patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) and 100 patients with Crohn's disease (CD) and 50 control subjects. TGF-β and HGF levels were measured and correlated with disease activity. Results and Conclusion. Serum levels of TGF-β and HGF were significantly higher in IBD patients compared with the control group. In the UC group, the levels of HGF and TGF-β were significantly higher than in the CD group. Levels of TGF-β and HGF correlate with the activity of IBD.
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A Sputum Screening Test to Rule Out Pneumonia at an Early Stage With High Negative Predictive Value. POINT OF CARE 2018. [DOI: 10.1097/poc.0000000000000170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Limsrivilai J, Rao K, Stidham RW, Govani SM, Waljee AK, Reinink A, Johnson L, Briggs E, Higgins PDR. Systemic Inflammatory Responses in Ulcerative Colitis Patients and Clostridium difficile Infection. Dig Dis Sci 2018; 63:1801-1810. [PMID: 29644517 PMCID: PMC6015554 DOI: 10.1007/s10620-018-5044-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2017] [Accepted: 03/23/2018] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS Finding differences in systemic inflammatory response in ulcerative colitis (UC), UC with Clostridium difficile infection (CDI), and CDI could lead to a better ability to differentiate between UC with symptomatic CDI and UC with C. difficile colonization, and could identify specific inflammatory pathways for UC or CDI, which could be therapeutic targets. METHODS We prospectively collected sera from symptomatic UC patients whose stools were tested for toxigenic C. difficile, and from CDI patients who did not have UC (CDI-noUC). The UC patients with positive tests (UC-CDI) were further categorized into responders to CDI treatment (UC-CDI-R) and non-responders (UC-CDI-NR). We compared serum inflammatory mediators among groups using unadjusted and adjusted multivariable statistics. RESULTS We included 117 UC [27 UC-CDI, 90 UC without CDI (UC-noCDI)] and 16 CDI-noUC patients. Principal component analysis (PCA) did not reveal significant differences either between UC-CDI and UC-noCDI groups, or between UC-CDI-R and UC-CDI-NR groups. In contrast, the PCA showed significant separation between the UC and CDI-noUC groups (P = 0.002). In these two groups, hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 2 (CCL2) levels were significantly lower and IL-23 levels were higher in UC patients in multivariable analyses. The model to distinguish UC from CDI including IL-23, HGF, CCL2, age, gender, and HGB had an AuROC of 0.93. CONCLUSION Inflammatory profiles could not distinguish UC-CDI from UC-noCDI, and UC-CDI-R from UC-CDI-NR. However, the UC and CDI-noUC groups were significantly different. Future work should examine whether therapeutic agents inhibiting IL-23 or stimulating HGF can treat UC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julajak Limsrivilai
- Division of Gastroenterology, Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, MI, USA,Internal Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Krishna Rao
- Division of Gastroenterology, Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Ryan W. Stidham
- Division of Gastroenterology, Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Shail M. Govani
- Division of Gastroenterology, Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, MI, USA,VA Center for Clinical Management Research, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Akbar K. Waljee
- Division of Gastroenterology, Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, MI, USA,VA Center for Clinical Management Research, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Andrew Reinink
- Gastroenterology, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Laura Johnson
- Division of Gastroenterology, Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Emily Briggs
- Division of Gastroenterology, Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, MI, USA,Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Peter D. R. Higgins
- Division of Gastroenterology, Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
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Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) optimizes oral traumatic ulcer healing of mice by reducing inflammation. Cytokine 2017; 99:275-280. [PMID: 28830652 DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2017.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2017] [Revised: 08/01/2017] [Accepted: 08/08/2017] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the influence of overexpression HGF on the healing of traumatic ulcer of oral mucosa of mice. MATERIAL AND METHODS Mice were divided into two groups: wild type C57BL6(WT) and HGF high expression transgenic (HGF-Tg) mice. Traumatic ulcer of all mice were made by number 15 scalpel blade. Mice were sacrificed after 5days and the inflammation score and expression of TNFα, IFNγ, c-Met, apoptosis (TUNEL) and 40 serum inflammation cytokines were estimated. RESULTS HGF-Tg mice presented a lower inflammation score (p=0.011), Serum TNFα expression in HGF-Tg ulcers is 1.3 times than WT ulcer and the difference is statistical significance (t test, p=0.003). Serum c-Met protein in HGF-Tg mice were significantly higher than WT mice (t test, p=0.004). No statistical difference was observed in the serum IFNγ between WT ulcer and HGF-Tg ulcer (t test, p=0.268). TNFα positive cytoplasm expression cells in connective tissue of HGF-Tg mice is significantly lower than that of WT group (t test, p=0.029). C-Met positive cytoplasm expression cells in both epithelium and connective tissue of HGF-Tg group is significantly higher than that of WT group (t test, p=0.040, p=0.000). Samples in HGF-Tg group showed a lower number of positive cells of epithelium TUNEL staining compared with that in the WT group (t test, p=0.035). CONCLUSIONS HGF exhibited anti-inflammatory potential in oral traumatic ulcer through the reduction of epithelial apoptosis, connective tissue TNFα expression and induction of c-Met expression.
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Comparison of inflammatory cytokines in peritoneal fluid at source control surgery for abdominal sepsis. Am J Surg 2017; 213:849-855. [DOI: 10.1016/j.amjsurg.2017.03.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2017] [Accepted: 03/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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Almroth G, Lönn J, Uhlin F, Brudin L, Andersson B, Hahn-Zoric M. Sclerostin, TNF-alpha and Interleukin-18 Correlate and are Together with Klotho Related to Other Growth Factors and Cytokines in Haemodialysis Patients. Scand J Immunol 2016; 83:58-63. [PMID: 26448366 DOI: 10.1111/sji.12392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2015] [Accepted: 09/28/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Patients with chronic renal failure are known to have renal osteodystrophy (bone disease) and increased calcification of vessels. A new marker of bone disease, sclerostin, the two pro-inflammatory cytokines tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-18 (IL-18), and the fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF-23) receptor-associated marker Klotho were tested in 84 haemodialysis (HD) patients and in healthy controls. The patients had significantly higher levels of the three former markers than of the controls while Klotho was significantly higher in the controls. Low level, but significant, correlations were observed in the patient group when the levels of these four markers were compared to each other and to those of 5 cytokines and growth factors tested earlier; high-sensitive CRP (hsCRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF-23) and soluble urokinase plasminogen activator (suPAR). Ln sclerostin correlated positively to Ln hsTNF-alpha, Ln HGF and Ln suPAR. Ln hsTNF-alpha correlated positively to Ln sclerostin, Ln hsCRP, Ln IL-6, Ln FGF-23, Ln suPAR and Ln IL-18. Ln IL-18 correlated positively to Ln suPAR and Ln TNF-alpha. Ln Klotho correlated negatively to Ln hsCRP but did not correlate to Ln FGF-23. The markers studied here may be involved in the calcification of vessels seen in HD patients due to a combination of inflammation and bone disease. The mechanisms are still not fully known but may be of importance for future therapeutic possibilities in this group of patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Almroth
- Department of Nephrology, Institution of medicine and health sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - J Lönn
- Division of Clinical Medicine, School of Health and Medical Sciences, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | - F Uhlin
- Department of Nephrology, Institution of medicine and health sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - L Brudin
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.,Department of Physiology, County Hospital, Kalmar, Sweden
| | - B Andersson
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Göteborg, Sweden
| | - M Hahn-Zoric
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Göteborg, Sweden
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Abstract
Met tyrosine kinase receptor, also known as c-Met, is the HGF (hepatocyte growth factor) receptor. The HGF/Met pathway has a prominent role in cardiovascular remodelling after tissue injury. The present review provides a synopsis of the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of HGF/Met in the heart and blood vessels. In vivo, HGF/Met function is particularly important for the protection of the heart in response to both acute and chronic insults, including ischaemic injury and doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity. Accordingly, conditional deletion of Met in cardiomyocytes results in impaired organ defence against oxidative stress. After ischaemic injury, activation of Met provides strong anti-apoptotic stimuli for cardiomyocytes through PI3K (phosphoinositide 3-kinase)/Akt and MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase) cascades. Recently, we found that HGF/Met is also important for autophagy regulation in cardiomyocytes via the mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin) pathway. HGF/Met induces proliferation and migration of endothelial cells through Rac1 (Ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 1) activation. In fibroblasts, HGF/Met antagonizes the actions of TGFβ1 (transforming growth factor β1) and AngII (angiotensin II), thus preventing fibrosis. Moreover, HGF/Met influences the inflammatory response of macrophages and the immune response of dendritic cells, indicating its protective function against atherosclerotic and autoimmune diseases. The HGF/Met axis also plays an important role in regulating self-renewal and myocardial regeneration through the enhancement of cardiac progenitor cells. HGF/Met has beneficial effects against myocardial infarction and endothelial dysfunction: the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying repair function in the heart and blood vessels are common and include pro-angiogenic, anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic actions. Thus administration of HGF or HGF mimetics may represent a promising therapeutic agent for the treatment of both coronary and peripheral artery disease.
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Hepatocyte growth factor in cerebrospinal fluid differentiates community-acquired or nosocomial septic meningitis from other causes of pleocytosis. Fluids Barriers CNS 2015; 12:22. [PMID: 26408034 PMCID: PMC4582940 DOI: 10.1186/s12987-015-0020-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2015] [Accepted: 09/16/2015] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Due to anatomical restrictions, the inflammatory response to intracerebral bacterial infections exposes swollen brain tissues to pressure and ischemia, resulting in life-threatening damage. Rapid diagnosis and immediate empirical antibiotic therapy is highly important. However, diagnosing meningitis in patients after neurosurgery is complicated, due to brain tissue damage and changes in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) caused by surgery. Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is a local, acute-phase protein with healing properties. Previous studies on community-acquired septic meningitis reported high levels of intrathecally produced HGF. The present study focused on nosocomial meningitis in assessing the levels of HGF in the CSF. Methods HGF concentrations (ELISA) and HGF binding to receptors; c-Met receptor and heparan sulfate proteoglycan were determined in CSF samples (surface plasmon resonance). CSF samples from patients with community-acquired or nosocomial meningitis (217 samples from 135 patients) were compared to those from controls without signs of cerebral nervous system involvement (N = 36) and patients with Alzheimer’s disease (N = 20). Results Compared to samples from patients that had undergone neurosurgery and had other infectious diseases, CSF samples from patients with nosocomial meningitis had significantly higher HGF concentrations (p < 0.001) and binding affinity to c-Met (p < 0.001) and HSPG (p = 0.043) receptors. The sensitivity and specificity to identify nosocomial septic meningitis were 69.7 and 93.4 %, respectively. The HGF concentration and binding affinity to HGF receptors were significantly higher in CSF from patients with community-acquired septic meningitis compared to patients with aseptic (viral and subacute) meningitis as well as controls (p < 0.001). The sensitivity and specificity to identify community-acquired septic meningitis were 95.4 and 95.7 %, respectively. Discussion In febrile nosocomial infections that occurred post neurosurgery, HGF assessment could substantially improve the differentiation of meningitis from other infections and therefore might be a tool for rapid diagnosis, limiting injuries and guiding antibiotic therapy. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12987-015-0020-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Twenty-one days of isolation: A prospective observational cohort study of an Ebola-exposed hot zone community in Liberia. J Infect 2015; 71:150-7. [PMID: 25982026 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinf.2015.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2015] [Revised: 05/07/2015] [Accepted: 05/09/2015] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND As West Africa continues to suffer from a deadly Ebola epidemic, the national health sectors struggle to minimize the damages and stop the spread of disease. METHODS A cohort of inhabitants of a small village and an Ebola hot zone in Sinoe County of Liberia was followed on a day-by-day basis to search for new cases and to minimize the spread of Ebola to the other community members or to other regions. Technical, clinical, and humanistic aspects of the response are discussed in this report. RESULTS Of the 22 confirmed Ebola cases in Sinoe County since the beginning of outbreak (June 16, 2014), 7 cases were inhabitants of Polay Town, a small village 5.5 miles east of Greenville, the Sinoe County capital. After the last wave of outbreak at the beginning of December, enhanced response activity provided essential coordination and mobilized the resources to stop the epidemic. Despite unprotected contacts in crowded houses, no new cases were detected among the contact families, or in the surrounding houses or communities. CONCLUSIONS Strong national mobilization in a decentralized but harmonized system at the community level has been of great value in controlling the epidemic in Liberia. The major interventions include epidemiological surveillance, public information dissemination, effective communication, case management, and infection control.
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HGF/Met Axis in Heart Function and Cardioprotection. Biomedicines 2014; 2:247-262. [PMID: 28548070 PMCID: PMC5344277 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines2040247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2014] [Revised: 09/18/2014] [Accepted: 10/13/2014] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and its tyrosine kinase receptor (Met) play important roles in myocardial function both in physiological and pathological situations. In the developing heart, HGF influences cardiomyocyte proliferation and differentiation. In the adult, HGF/Met signaling controls heart homeostasis and prevents oxidative stress in normal cardiomyocytes. Thus, the possible cardiotoxicity of current Met-targeted anti-cancer therapies has to be taken in consideration. In the injured heart, HGF plays important roles in cardioprotection by promoting: (1) prosurvival (anti-apoptotic and anti-autophagic) effects in cardiomyocytes, (2) angiogenesis, (3) inhibition of fibrosis, (4) anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory signals, and (5) regeneration through activation of cardiac stem cells. Furthermore, we discuss the putative role of elevated HGF as prognostic marker of severity in patients with cardiac diseases. Finally, we examine the potential of HGF-based molecules as new therapeutic tools for the treatment of cardiac diseases.
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