Leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) is a cytokine encoded by the LIF gene. LIF is an IL-6 class protein that inhibits cell differentiation, affecting cell growth. A decrease in LIF levels signals the cells to differentiate. In developing embryos, trophectoderm expresses LIF. LIF binds to LIF-receptor (LIFR), present throughout the embryonic inner cell mass. During the blastocyst stage, the inner cell mass produces embryonic stem cells, and if we remove these cells from the inner cell mass, the embryo loses its LIF source.
Leukemia inhibitory factor is a cytokine encoded by the LIF gene. LIF is an IL-6 class protein that inhibits cell differentiation, affecting cell growth. A decrease in LIF levels signals the cells to differentiate. In developing embryos, trophectoderm expresses LIF. LIF binds to LIF-receptor , present throughout the embryonic inner cell mass. During the blastocyst stage, the inner cell mass produces embryonic stem cells, and if we remove these cells from the inner cell mass, the embryo loses its LIF source.
You’re probably wondering who am I, and how do I know so much about LIF? Well, I happen to be a post-doctoral fellow in the Department of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology at Harvard Medical School. My research focus is on understanding and illuminating the role of cytokines on human embryonic stem cell development. Specifically, I study Leukemia Inhibitory Factor (LIF), because LIF acts as an important mediator for embryonic stem cell pluripotency. Today’s post is about a protein found mostly in the lif/IL-6 gene, but also produced by other genes in the IL-6 family. LIF (Leukemia Inhibitor Factor) binds to LIFR (LIF related antigen or gp130: it’s an adaptor protein found on the surface of some T and B cells), forming a heterodimer which then recruits to the cell surface, the Jak STAT pathway (Janus Associated Kinases). The signaling pathway is activated and secretes secondary “messengers” and transcription factors such as cytokines, chemokines and growth factors that control cellular proliferation, differentiation and survival.
Luteinizing hormone LH is a hormone produced in the anterior pituitary gland involved in regulation of the reproductive function. Specifically, gonadotropic cells in the anterior pituitary gland produce LH or Luteinizing hormone LH SLH production is regulated by gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) from the hypothalamus. An acute surge in LH levels triggers ovulation and the development of the corpus luteum in females. In males, LH is also called interstitial cell-stimulating hormone (ICSH). They act on the Leydig cells to produce testosterone and work in synergy with the follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH).
Luteinizing hormone (LH), also known as interstitial cell-stimulating hormone, is a hormone produced in the anterior pituitary gland involved in regulation of the reproductive function. The anterior pituitary gland produces LH, which acts on the Leydig cells to produce testosterone and work in synergy with the follicle stimulating hormone (FSH).
Luteinizing hormone (LH) is a hormone produced in the anterior pituitary gland involved in regulation of the reproductive function. Specifically, gonadotropic cells in the anterior pituitary gland produce LH or Luteinizing hormone LH SLH production is regulated by gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) from the hypothalamus. An acute surge in LH levels triggers ovulation and the development of the corpus luteum in females. In males, LH is also called interstitial cell-stimulating hormone (ICSH).
