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Leukemia Inhibitory Factor
Definition 1
Leukemia Inhibitory Factor (LIF) affects many systems, including hematopoietic, embryonic, bone, hepatic, neuronal, and fat tissues. LIF induces MHC class I HLA-G expression by cytotrophoblasts, which is essential in implantation and may facilitate immune tolerance of the conceptus at the maternal-fetal interface. LIF, secreted by ureteric bud cells, converts kidney mesenchyme to epithelia, which then forms nephrons. LIF and BMP2 cytokines signal through different receptors and transcription factors (STATs and SMADs) and act in synergy on neural progenitors to induce astrocytes. Transcriptional co-activator p300 interacts with STAT3 in a cytokine-independent manner and with SMAD1 in a cytokine-dependent manner. Formation of a STAT3/SMAD1 complex, bridged by p300, mediates cooperative signaling of LIF and BMP2 and induction of astrocytes from neuronal progenitors. (from OMIM and NCI) (NCI Thesaurus)
Definition 2
Leukemia inhibitory factor is a cytokine that induces macrophage differentiation. Neurotransmitters and neuropeptides, well known for their role in the communication between neurons, are also capable of activating monocytes and macrophages and inducing chemotaxis in immune cells. LIF signals through different receptors and transcription factors. LIF in conjunction with BMP2 acts in synergy on primary fetal neural progenitor cells to induce astrocytes. (NCI Thesaurus/LocusLink)
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