Leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) is a 20 kD protein that belongs to the IL-6 receptor family. It binds to a heterodimeric membrane receptor made up of a LIF-specific subunit, gp190 or LIFR, and the subunit gp130, which is shared with the other members of the IL-6 family. The LIF complex receptor signals though STAT3 and JAK kinases. LIF expression has been observed in various tissues including thymus, lung, and neuronal tissue. LIF displays diverse biological effects but is best known for its ability to inhibit the differentiation of embryonic stem cells in mice and contribute to stem cell self-renewal. Human and mouse LIF share 79% sequence homology and exhibit cross-species activity. However, LIF inhibition of stem cell differentiation appears to be mouse specific. It is involved in the induction of hematopoietic differentiation in normal and myeloid leukemia cells, induction of neuronal cell differentiation, regulation of mesenchymal to epithelial conversion during kidney development, and may also have a role in immune tolerance at the maternal-fetal interface. Alternatively spliced transcript variants encoding multiple isoforms have been observed for this gene. LIF can be upregulated by pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNFα and IL-17, and elevated levels of LIF have been found in cases of rheumatoid arthritis, neural injury, systemic inflammation, and tuberculosis.
Size
100 μg
Concentration
n/a
Applications
BA
Other Names
Leukemia inhibitory factor, HILDA (human interleukin in DA cells), MLPLI (melanoma-derived LPL inhibitor), DIA (differentiation-inducing factor)