Attenuation of mouse acute colitis by naked hepatocyte growth factor gene transfer into the liver.

Background: Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) has multiple biological effects on a wide variety of cells. It modulates intestinal epithelial proliferation and migration, and critically regulates intestinal wound healing.

Aims: To investigate the therapeutic effect of HGF gene transfer, we introduced the HGF gene into the liver of mice with acute colitis.