Figure 3 - HGF inhibits IFN-–STAT1–dependent PAI-1 induction and postsurgical adhesion formation.

(a–g) BALB/c mice underwent cecal cauterization surgery. The relative mRNA expression of PAI-1 (a,c,d,f) and tPA (a,c) in isolated cecum, PAI-1 and tPA levels in the plasma (b), and adhesion score (d,e,g) were measured (see Methods). (a,b) Ceca and plasma were taken at the indicated days after operation. (c) Ceca were taken 1 d after operation. Results are geometric means s.e.m. of five mice per group and are representative of three independent experiments. ^*P < 0.005 as compared to non-operated control group (a). n.d., not detected (b). ^*P < 0.0001 and †P < 0.02 as compared to control mice group, respectively (c). (d) Ceca (top) were taken from BALB/c mice injected with IFN-–specific or control antibodies 2 d before and subsequently treated with cecal cauterization 1 d before. Adhesion formation (bottom) at 7 d after operation was examined. Results are representative of two independent experiments. ^*P < 0.002 as compared to control groups. (e–g) BALB/c mice were injected with HGF (0–20 g per mouse) 1 d before cecal cauterization (e,f) or on the days indicated (g). Adhesion formation (bottom) was examined at 7 d after operation (e,g). Three hours and 1 d after operation, the relative IFN- and PAI-1 mRNA expression in isolated cecum was determined (f). Representative of three independent experiments. ^*P < 0.0001, †P < 0.005 and ‡P < 0.02 as compared to control PBS-injected mice.