HGF/SF in Mammary Epithelial Growth and Morphogenesis: In Vitro and In Vivo Models

HGF/SF is a multifunctional cytokine whichthrough binding to its cellular receptor, c-MET, canelicit mitogenic, morphogenic and motogenic responses intarget cells. Expression of HGF/SF and c-MET has been shown to be critical in earlyembryogenesis affecting development of many organs andtissues. The effects of HGF/SF4 on established human andmouse mammary cell lines have previously been reported. This review describes the source and targetsfor HGF/SF in both human and mouse mammary tissue anddiscusses the effects of HGF/SF on primary mouse andhuman mammary epithelial cells in vitro, detailing the individual response of the two epithelialsub-population of cells which comprise this organ.Additionally, the effects of HGF/SF overexpression onmouse mammary gland development in vivo, aresummarized.