Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is a pleiotropic growth factor that promotes proliferation, motility, survival, and differentiation. HGF stimulates migration of cells during embryogenesis, induces cell motility and scattering of epithelial cells, and regulates epithelial-mesenchymal transition. It is a chemoattractant for motor neurons, and regulates the development of sensory, sympathetic, parasympathetic, and cortical neurons as well as the proliferation of oligodendrocytes and glial development. Additionally, HGF is cytoprotective and regulates liver growth and regeneration.
