"Stemcell Technologies"

Supplier: Stemcell Technologies

Fibroblast growth factor 10 (FGF-10) is a member of the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) family predominantly expressed by mesenchymal fibroblasts during embryonic development (Emoto et al.; Igarashi et al.). It binds with high affinity to fibroblast growth factor receptor 2-IIIb (FGFR2-IIIb), and also has a weaker affinity for FGFR1-IIIb (Beer et al.). FGF-10 and FGF-7 have similar receptor binding properties and target cell specificities but are differentially regulated by components of the extracellular matrix (Emoto et al.; Igarashi et al.). FGF-10 has been shown to mediate epithelial-mesenchymal interactions, which are essential to lung development (Sekine et al; Ware and Matthay). FGF-10 also has a role in mobilisation and proliferation of lung-resident mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and protection and repair against acute lung injury (Tong et al.; Ware and Matthay), as well as endodermal differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells to insulin-producing pancreatic-like cells (Takeuchi et al.).

Supplier: Stemcell Technologies

Fibroblast growth factor 18 (FGF-18) is a growth factor and member of the FGF subfamily. FGF-18 is most similar to FGF-8 and FGF-17, and is secreted in adult lung and developing tissues (Ohbayashi et al.). FGF-18 signals through FGF receptor 3 (FGFR3) to regulate proliferation, differentiation, and matrix production of articular and growth plate chondrocytes in vivo and in vitro (Davidson et al.). FGF-18 has skeletal functions and protects articular cartilage by gene expression profiling and regulates proliferation and differentiation of midline cerebellar structures (Mori et al.). Also, recombinant human FGF-18 has been shown to effectively regulate hair growth (Song et al.).

Supplier: Stemcell Technologies

Ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) is a neurotrophic factor that belongs to the four-helix bundle cytokine family and is structurally related to interleukin 6 (IL-6), interleukin 11 (IL-11), leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), and oncostatin M (OSM). CNTF binds to its receptor CNFTRα and induces formation of a heterodimer of the signal-transducing IL-6 receptor gp130 and LIF receptor (LIFR)-β, which triggers JAK/STAT, ERK, and the PI3K signaling cascades (Schuster et al.). CNTF plays an important role in neurogenesis and the differentiation of neural stem cells and has been suggested to possess a therapeutic role in treating neurological disorders (Ding et al.; Oppenheim et al.). CNTF has also been shown to protect rod photoreceptors from light-induced damage and to have therapeutic effects on retinal degenerative diseases caused by genetic defect or damage induced by toxins, autoantibodies, or strong light (Pernet et al.; Rhee et al.). Another therapeutic role of CNTF has been reported in protecting oligodendrocytes from death induced by apoptosis (Louis et al.). Additionally, CNTF is commonly used to differentiate human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC)-derived neural progenitor cells into astrocytes (Krencik and Zhang).

Supplier: Stemcell Technologies

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), like nerve growth factor (NGF), neurotrophin-3 (NT-3), and neurotrophin-4 (NT-4), is a member of the NGF family of neurotrophins, which are required for the differentiation and survival of specific neuronal subpopulations in both the central and the peripheral nervous systems (Minichiello and Klein; Minichiello et al.). BDNF binds with high affinity to the tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB), and activates AKT and ERK pathways (Mattson et al.). It is expressed in the hippocampus, cortex, and synapses of the basal forebrain. BDNF acts as a survival factor for human embryonic stem cells when plated on either feeder cells or Corning® Matrigel® (Pyle et al.). BDNF regulates synaptic transmission and plasticity at adult synapses in the central nervous system, and contributes to adaptive neuronal responses including long-term potentiation, long-term depression, certain forms of short-term synaptic plasticity, and homeostatic regulation of neuronal excitability (Reichardt). It also has a role in neurogenesis by promoting survival and growth of dorsal root ganglion cells, and hippocampal and cortical neurons (Binder and Scharfman). BDNF, together with glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and other supplements, is commonly used to differentiate human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC)-derived neural progenitor cells into neurons (Brafman).

Supplier: Stemcell Technologies

Fibroblast growth factor 7 (FGF-7) is a member of the FGF family, and acts exclusively through a subset of FGF receptor isoforms expressed predominantly by epithelial cells (Finch and Rubin). FGF-7 seems to act specifically on epithelial cells and stimulates proliferation, migration, and differentiation of these cells, and also participates in epithelial protection and repair both in vitro and in vivo (Finch and Rubin; Werner). In contrast, FGF-7 is produced solely by cells of mesenchymal origin, and functions as a paracrine mediator of mesenchymal-epithelial communication (Rubin et al.). FGF-7 has also been shown to supplement several wound-healing properties of bioengineered skin (Erdag et al.) and to induce autophagy in human keratinocytes (Belleudi et al.). Additionally, FGF-7 has a role in pluripotent stem cell differentiation to endodermal pancreatic-like insulin-producing cells and thymic epithelial cells (Inami et al.; Niu et al.).

Supplier: Stemcell Technologies

Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) is a neurotrophic factor and a member of the tumor growth factor (TGF)-beta superfamily. The GDNF family of growth factors also includes neurturin, persephin, and artemin, which have seven conserved cysteine residues called cysteine-knots (Treanor et al.). GDNF family ligands signal through binding to specific GDNF-family receptor-α (GFRα) co-receptors and activate the RET receptor tyrosine kinase (Durbec et al.). Four different forms of GFRα co-receptors have been characterized (GFRα 1-4); GDNF binds specifically to GFRα1 prior to forming a complex with RET (Airaksinen and Saarma). GDNF is known to promote survival and morphological differentiation of midbrain dopaminergic neurons in both in vivo and in vitro studies and increases their high-affinity dopamine uptake (Granholm et al.; Lin et al.). GDNF has also been shown to have restorative effects on dying dopaminergic neurons in response to degenerative toxins (Aoi et al.). GDNF, together with Human Recombinant BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor), BrainPhys™ Neuronal Medium, and other supplements, can be used to differentiate human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC)-derived neural progenitor cells into neurons (Bardy et al.).

Supplier: Stemcell Technologies

Interleukin 10 (IL-10) is the founding member of the IL-10 family of class II cytokines. All of the IL-10 cytokine family members have a four-helix bundle consisting of α-helical folds. Upon binding to its receptor, IL-10 activates signaling through JAK1 and STAT3. It is produced by dendritic cells, macrophages, and CD4+ T regulatory cells, as well as mast cells, NK cells, neutrophils, and regulatory B cells, under specific stimulating conditions (Saraiva and O'Garra). IL-10 can inhibit the activation of certain immune cells while it promotes the function of B cells, and facilitate healing process. Specifically, this cytokine is important for the function of T regulatory cells as it is a potent suppressor of effector T cell proliferation and cytokine production. Also, IL-10 produced by a subset of macrophages inhibits activation and production of pro-inflammatory cytokines by neighboring macrophages, thus allowing a level of self-regulation. IL-10 enhances B cell proliferation, immunoglobulin secretion, and class II MHC expression (Ouyang et al.).

Supplier: Stemcell Technologies

Interleukin 21 (IL-21) is a pleiotropic cytokine that is composed of four α-helical bundles and primarily produced by natural killer T (NKT) cells, T follicular helper (Tfh) cells, and Th17 cells (Spolski and Leonard 2008). IL-21 signals via heterodimers of the IL-21 receptor (IL-21R) and the IL2RG encoded common cytokine receptor γ-chain (Parrish-Novak et al.; Ozaki K et al. 2000), and utilizes the JAK/STAT, MAPK, and PI3K pathways (Spolski and Leonard 2014). IL-21 has been shown to have a critical role in regulating immunoglobulin production and differentiation of the pro-inflammatory Th17 population of cells (Ozaki et al. 2002; Nurieva et al.). Additionally, IL-21 specifically sustains CD8+ T cell effector activity and provides a mechanism of CD4+ T cell help during chronic viral infection (Elsaesser et al.). IL-21 signaling was also found critical for the development of type 1 diabetes in NOD mice (Sutherland et al.) and control of T cell autoimmunity by regulatory B cells (Yoshizaki et al.).

Supplier: Stemcell Technologies

Interleukin 9 (IL-9) has pleiotropic functions in the immune system and signals through its specific IL-9 receptor (IL-9R) (Renauld et al.). IL-9/IL-9R signaling pathway mainly targets the downstream activation of JAK/STAT (janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription) and subsequent phosphorylation cascades initiated by multiple kinases including IRS–PI3K–PKB (insulin receptor substrate, phosphatidyl-inositol 3-kinases, protein kinase-B) and ERK (Knoops and Renauld; Fontaine et al.). IL-9 has been shown to have a role in Th1/Th17-mediated inflammation and in regulatory T cell responses (Singh et al.; Goswami and Kaplan). IL-9/IL-9R signaling pathway represents a novel endogenous anti-apoptotic mechanism for cortical neurons (Fontaine et al.). IL-9 secreting T cells, termed Th9 cells, contribute to both effective immunity and immunopathological disease, and have been shown to have a role in the treatment of allergic and autoimmune disease (Kaplan et al.).

Supplier: Stemcell Technologies

Macrophage inflammatory protein-1 alpha (MIP-1 alpha), also known as CCL3, is a member of the CC family of chemokines and is most closely related to CCL4 or MIP-1 beta. Mouse MIP-1 alpha signal through CCR1, CCR3, CCR5, and D6 receptors (Menten et al.). MIP-1 alpha exhibits a variety of proinflammatory activities in vitro, including leukocyte chemotaxis, cytokine production, and mast cell activation, and it inhibits the proliferation of hematopoietic stem cells in vitro and in vivo (Cook). MIP-1 alpha plays a critical role in macrophage recruitment into wounds and in tissue repair (DiPietro et al.). It has been demonstrated that blockade of the CCL3/MIP-1 alpha-CCR1 pathway blocks the recruitment of CCR1-expressing CD4+ T cells to the liver, showing a therapeutic potential for treating T cell-mediated liver diseases (Ajuebor et al.).

Supplier: Stemcell Technologies

Macrophage inflammatory protein-1 beta (MIP-1 beta), also known as CCL4, is a member of the CC family of chemokines and is most closely related to CCL3 (MIP-1 alpha). Cellular sources of MIP-1 beta include activated leukocytes (monocytes and T and B cells), brain endothelial cells, and smooth muscle cells (Lukacs et al.; Menten et al.). MIP-1 beta, MIP-1 alpha, and RANTES have been shown to be major HIV-suppressive factors, possibly through the interactions of these chemokines with the receptor CCR5 on CD4+ T cells, which is also a major receptor for HIV entry into CD4+ T cells (Cocchi et al.; Menten et al.). MIP-1 beta attracts a variety of immune cells to sites of microbial infection. In addition to its chemotactic functions, MIP-1 beta induces the release of proinflammatory cytokines, mast cell degranulation, and NK cell activation (Schall et al.). In mice, recruitment of regulatory T cells to B cells and antigen-presenting cells by MIP-1 beta plays a central role in the initiation of T cell and humoral responses, and the depletion of regulatory T cells or MIP-1 beta results in deregulated humoral responses and production of autoantibodies (Bystry et al.).

Supplier: Stemcell Technologies

Neurotrophin-4 (NT-4) is a member of the nerve growth factor family which includes neurotrophin-3 (NT-3), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and nerve growth factor (NGF), all of which promote the differentiation, growth, and survival of peripheral and central nervous system neurons (Eide et al.). NT-4 binds and activates tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB) at the cell surface; in doing so, it acts as a survival factor for certain populations of sensory neurons (Berkemeier et al.; Skaper). It has been shown that NT-4, together with BDNF, promotes neurite extension and maturation, as well as maintenance of differentiated cerebellar granule cells (Gao et al.).

Supplier: Stemcell Technologies

Oncostatin M (OSM) is a member of interleukin 6 (IL-6) family of cytokines and bears close resemblance to leukemia-inhibitory factor (LIF) and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) in amino acid sequence and its modulation of differentiation in a variety of cell types (Rose and Bruce). OSM signals through type I receptor (consisting of gp130 and LIF receptor (LIFR)) and type II receptor (consisting of gp130 and OSM receptor (OSMR)), which eventually activate the JAK/STAT pathway (Auguste et al.; Gómez-Lechón). OSM is primarily produced by activated T cells and monocytes, and also by activated macrophages, neutrophils, mast cells, and dendritic cells. OSM is also produced within the bone microenvironment by cells of both hematopoietic and mesenchymal origin including osteocytes and osteoblasts. OSM is involved in differentiation, cell proliferation, hematopoiesis, and inflammation, and also has been shown to have implications in liver development, bone formation and resorption (Sims and Quinn; Tanaka and Miyajima).

Supplier: Stemcell Technologies

Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) is a dimeric glycoprotein consisting of two disulfide bridge-stabilized polypeptide chains, A and B, which are assembled as heterodimers (PDGF-AB) or homodimers (PDGF-AA and PDGF-BB) (Fretto et al.; Westermark and Heldin). PDGF signals through the receptor tyrosine kinases PDGFRalpha and PDGFRbeta. It has been shown that PDGF-induced migration involves signaling pathways involving MEK/ERK, EGFR, Src, and PI3K/AKT (Kim et al.). PDGF is a potent mitogen for cells of mesenchymal origin, such as fibroblasts, glial cells, and vascular smooth muscle cells. PDGF has been implicated in pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, glomerulonephritis, cancer, and in the contraction of vascular smooth muscle cells of rat aortic tissues (Fretto et al.; Sachinidis et al.). It has been suggested that PDGF-AA is an important autocrine regulator of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in non-small cell lung carcinomas (Shikada et al.). PDGF-AA also mediates proliferation of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells and oligodendrocyte lineage differentiation through the activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) (Hu et al.). PDGF-AA is commonly used to differentiate human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC)-derived neural progenitor cells into oligodendrocyte precursor cells (Piao et al.).

Supplier: Stemcell Technologies

Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) is a dimeric glycoprotein consisting of two disulfide bridge-stabilized polypeptide chains, A and B, which are assembled as heterodimers (PDGF-AB) or homodimers (PDGF-AA and PDGF-BB) (Fretto et al.; Westermark and Heldin). PDGF signals through the receptor tyrosine kinases PDGFRalpha and PDGFRbeta. It has been shown that PDGF-induced migration involves signaling pathways involving MEK/ERK, EGFR, Src, and PI3K/AKT (Kim et al.). PDGF is a potent mitogen for cells of mesenchymal origin- like fibroblasts, glial cells, and vascular smooth muscle cells. PDGF has been implicated in pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, glomerulonephritis, cancer, and in the contraction of vascular smooth muscle cells of rat aortic tissues (Fretto et al.; Sachinidis et al.). It has been shown that PDGF-AB together with 5-Azacytidine (Catalog #72012), induces the conversion of mature bone and fat cells into tissue-regenerative multipotent stem cells (Chandrakanthan et al.).

Supplier: Stemcell Technologies

Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) is a dimeric glycoprotein consisting of two disulfide bridge stabilized polypeptide chains, A and B, which are assembled as heterodimers (PDGF-AB) or homodimers (PDGF-AA and PDGF-BB) (Fretto et al.; Westermark and Heldin). PDGF signals through the receptor tyrosine kinases PDGFRalpha and PDGFRbeta. It has been shown that PDGF-induced migration involves signaling pathways involving MEK/ERK, EGFR, Src and PI3K/AKT (Kim et al.). PDGF is a potent mitogen for cells of mesenchymal origin- like fibroblasts, glial cells, and vascular smooth muscle cells. PDGF has been implicated in pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, glomerulonephritis, cancer, and in the contraction of vascular smooth muscle cells of rat aortic tissues (Fretto et al.; Sachinidis et al.). PDGF-BB is secreted by osteoblasts to induce mesenchymal stem cell migration and angiogenesis. It has also been shown that PDGF-BB is secreted by preosteoclasts during bone modeling and remodeling to induce angiogenesis and thus proper osteogenesis (Xie et al.).