HGF and familial dilated cardiomyopathy: Additionally, evidence suggests that the injection of hUCMSCs can boost the myocardial expression and circulating levels of cytokines such as hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), leukocyte inhibitory factor (LIF), GM-CSF, and VEGF, which implies that the beneficial effects of hUCMSCs on DCM could be attributed to paracrine mechanisms [218].