The physiological relevance of the activation of hepatocyte growth factor (Hgf) by the
plasminogen (Plg) system of proteases and its contribution to tissue repair are largely
undefined. Here, we investigated whether the defective liver repair in mice lacking Plg is due
to impaired activation of Hgf. Loss of Plg in vivo suppressed Hgf activation and signaling
through its Met tyrosine kinase receptor. Without Plg, hepatocytes were unresponsive to Hgf-
induced proliferation and migration, with a more pronounced impairment in hepatocyte …