Targeting the Hepatocyte Growth Factor/c-Met Signaling Pathway: New Opportunities for Kidney Disease Treatment

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is a multifunctional cytokine that primarily targets epithelial cells. It regulates cell growth, motility, and morphogenesis, promoting tissue regeneration in injured organs. HGF and its receptor (c-Met) play critical roles in regulating numerous biological processes, particularly in kidney diseases. We conducted a literature review to identify the roles of HGF, c-Met, and the HGF/c-Met signaling pathway in kidney diseases, including acute kidney injury (AKI), chronic kidney disease (CKD), the AKI-CKD transition, kidney transplantation, and renal cell carcinoma (RCC). We further explored the regulatory functions of the HGF/c-Met signaling pathway in kidney disease pathology and examined HGF and c-Met as potential therapeutic strategies. We also evaluated the potential of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to target the HGF/c-Met pathway in kidney diseases. Our findings may offer new insights for clinical practice and inform future research directions.