Description
R&D Systems now offers Recombinant Human LIF (Catalog # 7734-LF). Leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) is a pleiotropic, IL-6 family cytokine that signals through a heterodimeric receptor complex comprised of the common receptor subunit gp130 and the ligand-specific receptor subunit LIF R. It is widely used as a cell culture supplement to maintain the pluripotency and self-renewal capabilities of mouse embryonic stem cells. A vast range of other context-dependent activities have also been described. For instance, LIF is produced by the uterine endometrium and is critical for the successful implantation of the embryo. In addition, it has been shown to promote the differentiation of regulatory T cells, adipocytes, cardiac smooth muscle cells, and myeloid/myeloid leukemia cells, and support motor neuron survival following injury.