Leukemia inhibitory factor: an important regulator of endometrial function.
OBJECTIVE
Leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) is multifunctional cytokine that displays biological activities in different cells, including endometrial cells. The aim of this study is to describe implications of LIF on a physiological function of endometrium.


METHODS
The role of LIF in the endometrial function is reviewed and summarized from the available literature.


RESULTS
LIF plays an important role in a physiological function of endometrium. In human endometrial LIF expression depends on cellular localizations, steroid hormones, menstrual stages and a local cytokine network. Stronger LIF expression exists in an endometrial epithelium during a luteal phase of the menstrual cycle, which coincides with the time of an implantation. The impairments of the endometrial LIF expression may play a significant role in the pathological processes involving implantation and the infertility.


CONCLUSIONS
There is a substantial evidence that LIF is a potential regulator of the endometrial function and might be one of the factors that play a key role in human reproduction.
Department of Immunology and Serology, Silesian Medical Academy in Katowice, Poland.
Zdzisława
Z
Kondera-Anasz
Justyna
J
Sikora
Aleksandra
A
Mielczarek-Palacz
D000818:Animals; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D004717:Endometrium / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000378:metabolism; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000378:metabolism*; D053605:Leukemia Inhibitory Factor; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000378:metabolism
D016207:Cytokines; D012739:Gonadal Steroid Hormones; D015850:Interleukin-6; C507837:LIF protein, human; D053605:Leukemia Inhibitory Factor