Leukaemia inhibitory factor - Latest research and news

Leukaemia inhibitory factor articles from across Nature Portfolio

Leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF) is a cytokine of the interleukin-6 family, which is both pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory. LIF, acting through its receptor LIFR-α, induces terminal differentiation, and therefore cessation of growth, of myeloid leukaemia cells. LIF also acts on other target cells and tissues, including bone, neurons, heart and embryos, to promote growth and differentiation.

Latest Research and Reviews

ILC2-derived LIF licences progress from tissue to systemic immunity

Disruption of leukaemia inhibitory factor production from group 2 innate lymphoid cells prevents immune cells leaving the lungs to migrate to lymph nodes, leading to plasmacytoid dendritic cells becoming retained in the lungs following viral infection.
- Mayuri Gogoi
- Paula A. Clark
- Andrew N. J. McKenzie
ResearchOpen Access07 Aug 2024 Nature
Volume: 632, P: 885-892
Recent insights into targeting the IL-6 cytokine family in inflammatory diseases and cancer

This Review considers the key roles of the IL-6 cytokine family in regulating innate and adaptive immunity, as well as other physiological responses. The authors highlight the potential of targeting IL-6 family members to treat inflammatory diseases and cancer.
- Simon A. Jones
- Brendan J. Jenkins
Reviews25 Sept 2018 Nature Reviews Immunology
Volume: 18, P: 773-789
LIF-independent JAK signalling to chromatin in embryonic stem cells uncovered from an adult stem cell disease

JAK2 phosphorylates H3-Y41 residues to exclude the heterochromatin factor HP1α from chromatin. JAK2 is found to be required for maintenance of mouse embryonic stem cells through its action on the Nanog promoter. A mutant form of JAK2 associated with a myeloproliferative disorder allows embryonic stem cells to self renew in absence of cytokines.
- Dean S. Griffiths
- Juan Li
- Berthold Göttgens
Research12 Dec 2010 Nature Cell Biology
Volume: 13, P: 13-21