Leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), initially named for its ability to cause myeloid leukemic cells to differentiate into macrophages (Gearing et al. 1987) is a member of the interleukin-6 (IL-6)-related cytokines. It possesses overlapping function with other IL-6 family members. The pleiotrophic effects of LIF in many physiological systems include proliferation, differentiation, and cell survival (Hilton 1992, Metcalf 1992). It exerts numerous effects in the nervous system, promote gliogenesis, support neural stem cell (NSC) renewal (Bonni et al. 1997, Hermanson et al. 2002, Pitman et al. 2004) and also been implicated in the expression of various cytokines. LIF exerts its effects by binding to a bipartite membrane receptor complex that consists of the LIF receptor subunit (LIFR) and the glycoprotein (gp)130 subunit and activates STAT3. LIF initially binds LIFR and the LIFR Ig-like domains contributes to LIF binding (Bitard et al. 2003).
Bitard, J, Daburon, S, Duplomb, L, Blanchard, F, Vuisio, P, Jacques, Y, Godard, A, Heath, JK, Moreau, JF, Taupin, JL
Pitman, M, Emery, B, Binder, M, Wang, S, Butzkueven, H, Kilpatrick, TJ
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