To assess potential roles of hepatocyte growth factor-like (HGFL) protein as a growth factor and as a cytokine, we determined the expression of mRNA for (HGFL) protein during liver regeneration and inflammation. Expression of mRNA for HGFL protein in the regenerating liver was upregulated to 93% and 64% above controls at 1 h following partial hepatectomy and carbon tetrachloride treatment of rats, respectively. Similarly, rat liver mRNA for HGFL protein was upregulated to 78% above controls at 24 h after injection of thioglycollate (inducing activation of peritoneal macrophages) and to 118% at 48 h after injection of turpentine (inducing the acute phase response). These results support a potential role for HGFL protein in the early phase of liver regeneration and as an inflammatory mediator.