Oncostatin M (OSM) is a growth and differentiation factor that participates in the regulation of neurogenesis, osteogenesis and hematopoiesis. Produced by activated T cells, monocytes and Kaposi's sarcoma cells, OSH can exert both stimulatory and inhibitory effects on cell proliferation. It stimulates the proliferation of fibroblasts, smooth muscle cells and Kaposi's sarcoma cells, but, inhibits the growth of some normal and tumor cell lines. It also promotes cytokine release (e.g. IL-6, GM-CSF and G-CSF) from endothelial cells, and enhances the expression of low-density lipoprotein receptor in hepatoma cells. OSM share several structural and functional characteristics with LIF, IL-6, and CNTF. Human OSM is active on murine cells.