Hepatocyte growth factor activator (HGFA) is a serine protease initially identified as a potent activator of hepatocyte growth factor⁄scatter factor. Hepatocyte growth factor⁄scatter factor is known to be critically involved in tissue morphogenesis, regeneration, and tumor progression, via its recep-tor, MET. In vivo, HGFA also activates macrophage-stimulating protein, which has roles in macrophage recruitment and inflammatory processes, cellular survival and wound healing through its receptor, RON
