Abstract: The invention presents a therapeutic agent (and progress suppressant) for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) containing HGF and/or HGF gene as active ingredient. HGF has an effect of improving the motor function of ALS and life span through two actions, that is, direct neuronutrient factor activity on motoneurons, and indirect improving action of glutamate cytotoxicity on motoneurons by maintaining the level of glutamate transporter in astrocytes. Hence, HGF and/or HGF gene can be used as an effective therapeutic agent not known in the past.

Abstract: Novel neovascularization inhibitory factors and neovascularization inhibitors useful in preventing and treating various diseases in association with neovascularization. These neovascularization inhibitors contain as the active ingredient polypeptides with the following definition (a) or (b): (a) a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence of PyrGlu32-Val478 in HGF (hepatocyte growth factor); or (b) a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence derived from the amino acid sequence as defined in (a) by deletion, substitution or addition of one or several amino acids and having an antagonism to the effect of HGF via c-Met-HGF receptor.

Abstract: This invention relates to a PEG-modified HGF (Hepatocyte Growth Factor), namely HGF modified by polyethylene glycol. The PEG-modified HGF of the invention has a prolonged clearance in vivo, effectively exhibits its physiological activity for a long period of time, and has the same physiological activity as HGF, which makes it possible to reduce the dose and relieve the side effects of the same.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an agent accelerating collagen decomposition and a therapeutic agent for fibrosis disorder containing HGFs (Hepatocyte Growth Factors) as an active ingredient. The active ingredients HGFs accelerate the decomposition of collagen (increase of collagenase activity), and can effectively treat fibrosis disorder by the acceleration of collagen decomposition. Therefore, according to the present invention, the prevention and treatment of a disease due to reduced collagenase activity and fibrosis disorders characterized by excessive production of fibroblast-derived connective tissue matrix are possible.

Abstract: An epitheliocyte growth accelerator containing a hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) as the active ingredient. In the present invention, the HGF maybe derived from human tissues, animal tissues, or blood components, or it may be produced genetic engineering. In this regard, the host cell to be used in the genetic engineering may be selected from among Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, yeasts, filamentous fungi, plant cells and animal cells. The epitheliocyte growth accelerator of the present invention specifically accelerates growth of normal epitheliocytes, and improves cell motility.The epitheliocyte growth accelerate of the present invention does not have fibroblast growing activity or canceration accelerating activity.