Leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) is a secreted pleiotropic glycoprotein which is a member of the gp130 signaling of interleukin-6 (IL-6) family cytokines. This protein was originally identified as a protein that prevented the growth of a leukemic cell line.
Synonyms: Differentiation-stimulating factor; Emfilermin; LIF; Melanoma-derived LPL inhibitor
Purity: >=95% (SDS-PAGE)
Storage: -20C
Application: One of the main uses of LIF in research is in mouse embryonic stem cell culture maintenance. LIF is necessary to maintain the stem cells in an undifferentiated state while retaining their proliferative potential or pluripotency. Removal of LIF pushes stem cells toward differentiation.
Biochem Physiol Actions: Leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) suppresses the differentiation of myoblasts. It also inhibits the activation of caspase-3 and blocks the reduction in Bcl-xL (B cell lymphoma) levels, thus, preventing doxorubicin-induced apoptosis. Along with transforming growth factor ß2 (TGFß2)/fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2), LIF regulates nephrogenesis. It facilitates tubular regeneration following acute kidney failure. It plays a crucial role in neuroprotective pathways induced by preconditioning-induced oxidative stress. LIF is capable of maintaining the totipotency of embryonic stem cells. It is also involved in controlling the differentiation of embryonic stem cells, hematopoietic and neuronal cells.