We have previously shown that systemically injected hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is primarily taken up by the liver. The present study shows that HGF injected systemically or through the portal circulation is retained primarily at periportal sites. The periportal retention of HGF seems to persist longer in regenerating liver. The percentage of the total HGF injected that was retained within the liver at 1 minute after injection varied with the dose. A maximal amount of 0.157 +/- 0.012 microgram of HGF per gram liver tissue is retained by normal liver. Analysis of the circulating form of HGF in the plasma showed a relative enrichment with time for the heterodimeric form of HGF. A portion of portally injected HGF, composed of both single chain and two chain (heterodimeric) form was excreted intact in the bile. This was found in both normal and regenerating liver. These studies show that the liver can sequester large amounts of HGF and that the sequestration occurs primarily at periportal sites. Our studies support the hypothesis that a nonlysosomal processing pathway for HGF is present in the liver.