HGF and infection: Since HGF/MET signaling is capable of protecting cells from apoptosis using both the PI3-kinase/Akt and MAPK pathways, the inhibition of HGF/MET signaling induces a specific increase in the apoptosis of infected cells and leads to a great reduction in infection; to counteract this, the infected hepatocytes express the HGF receptor c-met, which ensures the initial survival of the cells [18,19].