LIF: a molecule with divergent actions on myeloid leukaemic cells and embryonic stem cells.
We have previously characterized, purified and cloned a novel murine and human regulator [leukaemia inhibitory factor, LIF] which induces the differentiation of certain murine and human myeloid leukaemic cells. Recently we have shown that there are specific LIF receptors on murine embryonic stem [ES] and embryonal carcinoma [EC] cells and that purified recombinant LIF can substitute for feeder cells and crude sources of differentiation inhibiting activity [DIA] [such as BRL-cell-conditioned medium] in the maintenance of ES cells in a pluripotential state in vitro. Furthermore, ES cells maintained in culture in recombinant LIF for a prolonged period can give rise to germline chimaeric mice. Thus, based on a number of biochemical and biological similarities, it is likely that LIF and DIA are the same molecule. The identification of LIF as a molecule, necessary and sufficient for the maintenance of ES cells in culture, should have a profound impact on the use of these cells for genetic manipulations.
Gough
N M
NM
Walter and Eliza Hall Institute for Medical Research, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, Vic., Australia.
Williams
R L
RL
Hilton
D J
DJ
Pease
S
S
Willson
T A
TA
Stahl
J
J
Gearing
D P
DP
Nicola
N A
NA
Metcalf
D
D
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian; D054278:Embryonal Carcinoma Stem Cells; D006131:Growth Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D015850:Interleukin-6; D053605:Leukemia Inhibitory Factor; D007951:Leukemia, Myeloid / Q000473:pathology*; D008222:Lymphokines; D051379:Mice; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D014411:Neoplastic Stem Cells / Q000187:drug effects; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology; D012689:Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000187:drug effects*
D006131:Growth Inhibitors; D015850:Interleukin-6; C507837:LIF protein, human; D053605:Leukemia Inhibitory Factor; C507838:Lif protein, mouse; D008222:Lymphokines; D011994:Recombinant Proteins