HGF and septic shock: Septic shock patients showed also high levels of interferon-inducible protein-10 (IP-10), hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), interleukin-18 (IL-18), IL-1 and IL-2 receptor antagonists (IL-1Ra, IL-2Ra) and decreased concentrations of IL-1α, monocyte-specific chemokine 3 (MCP-3) and tumor necrosis factor beta (TNF-β).