Description Leukemia Inhibitory Factor (LIF), a lymphoid factor, is widely used to maintain the pluripotency of mouse embryonic stem cells. LIF is also involved in a wide variety of biological processes including hematopoietic cell proliferation, neuronal survival and formation, and bone formation. Removal of LIF pushes stem cells toward differentiation, but they retain their proliferative potential or pluripotency. Therefore LIF is used in mouse embryonic stem cell culture. It is necessary to maintain the stem cells in an undifferentiated state. Mouse LIF is a 20 kDa protein containing 181 amino acid residues. mLIF is expressed in E. coli and purified by HPLC chromatography.

Purity > 99% (by SDS Page)

BufferSolution, 0.2 μm filtered, in phosphate buffered saline containing with

1% W/V BSA

Endotoxin Level < 1.0 EU/ug as determined by the LAL method

Biologic Activity LIF activity is assessed on mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells and shown to maintain ES cell pluripotency in culture when used at 850U/ml.

Undifferentiated mouseES cells cultured in media containing800 Units/mL LIF

Storage and HandlingStore at 4°C. Freeze-thaw should be avoided.

Stability Stable for up to 6 months from date of receipt when stored as directed.

References Williams R.L., Hilton, D.J., Pease, S., Willson, T.A., Stewart, C.L., et al (1988)

Myeloid leukemia inhibitory factor maintains the developmental potential of

embryonic stem cells. Nature 336:686-7.