You searched for: Proteins and Peptides

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.).

Supplier: STEMCELL Technologies

Betacellulin is a member of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) family, and signals through EGF receptor and ERBB4. It activates ERK and AKT pathways, which induces neural stem cell proliferation and prevents spontaneous differentiation in culture. Betacellulin stimulates the expansion of neural stem cells, transit-amplifying cells, and neuroblasts derived from subventricular zone and dentate gyrus (Gómez-Gaviro et al.). It is a potent mitogen for retinal pigment epithelial cells and vascular smooth muscle cells. Betacellulin down-regulates E-cadherin expression in ovarian cancer cell lines via MEK/ERK1/2 and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways, thus increasing cell migration (Zhao et al.). It is a modulator of interferon (IFN) response and enhances anti-viral effects of IFN (Al-Yahya et al.). Betacellulin is expressed in pancreatic α cells, β cells, and duct cells. It induces the proliferation of pancreatic cancer cell lines, inhibits apoptosis, promotes the neogenesis of β cells, and converts non-β cells into insulin-producing cells (Kawaguchi et al.; Miyagawa al.; Saito et al.).

Supplier: STEMCELL Technologies

Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), also known as type II interferon, is produced by T and NK cells, and in smaller amounts by dendritic cells and macrophages. IFN-γ is controlled by cytokines such as IL-12 and IL-18 secreted in response to infection (Schroder et al.). IFN-γ binds to a receptor complex and initiates signal transduction via the JAK/STAT pathway; this culminates in the transcription and activation of many genes that control a diverse array of immunological functions (de Weerd and Nguyen; Krause et al.). IFN-γ stimulates the antimicrobial and anti-tumor activity of macrophages, NK cells, and neutrophils (Billiau and Matthys) by promoting the activation of microbial effector functions such as production of reactive oxygen species, nitric oxide, and complement (Schroder et al.). IFN-γ enhances MHC class I and II expression in dendritic cells and mononuclear phagocytes, as well as the production of IL-12 by dendritic cells. In B cells, IFN-γ stimulates survival and growth in both mouse and human cells, and redirects B cells from proliferation towards differentiation. IFN-γ favors the development of Th1 vs Th2 cells and stimulates monocyte differentiation and function (Schroder et al.).

Supplier: STEMCELL Technologies

Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) promotes the proliferation and differentiation of hematopoietic progenitor cells and the generation of neutrophils, eosinophils, and macrophages. In synergy with other cytokines such as stem cell factor, IL-3, erythropoietin, and thrombopoietin, it also stimulates erythroid and megakaryocyte progenitor cells (Barreda et al.). GM-CSF is produced by multiple cell types, including stromal cells, Paneth cells, macrophages, dendritic cells (DCs), endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, fibroblasts, chondrocytes, and Th1 and Th17 cells T cells (Francisco-Cruz et al.). The receptor for GM-CSF (GM-CSFR) is composed of two subunits: the cytokine-specific α subunit (GMRα; CD116) and the common subunit βc (CD131) shared with IL-3 and IL-5 receptors (Broughton et al.). GM-CSFR is expressed on hematopoietic cells, including progenitor cells and immune cells, as well as non-hematopoietic cells. GM-CSF is able to stimulate the development of DCs that ingest, process, and present antigens to the immune system (Francisco-Cruz et al.). Recombinant rat GM-CSF is reactive with mouse cells (Oaks et al.; Vandenabeele 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 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.). This product is animal component-free.

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

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 receptor heterodimerization of IL-21 receptor and IL-2 receptor subunit gamma (IL-2RG or CD132), both of which have a common gamma-chain subunit and activate the JAK/STAT, MAPK, and PI3K pathways (Parrish-Novak et al.; Ozaki et al. 2000; 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 non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice (Sutherland et al.) and control of T cell autoimmunity by regulatory B cells (Yoshizaki et al.).

Supplier: STEMCELL Technologies

Leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) is an interleukin 6 class cytokine that regulates a broad variety of developmental functions. After LIF binds to LIF receptor (LIFR), LIFR associates with gp130 and activates JAK/STAT and MAPK signaling (Auernhammer and Melmed; Suman et al.). LIFR activation of STAT3 is essential for maintaining the mouse embryonic stem cell phenotype (Niwa et al.). Produced by the endometrium, LIF plays an important autocrine and paracrine role in implantation by regulating proliferation, invasion, and differentiation of trophoblasts following blastocyst attachment (Auernhammer and Melmed; Suman et al.). Human LIF can be used for the maintenance of mouse embryonic stem cells, however mouse LIF cannot bind to the human receptor, thus rendering mouse LIF inactive (Dahéron et al.). LIF is produced by CD4+ and activated regulatory T cells, and promotes Foxp3 expression, while repressing Th17 lineage-specific genes (Metcalfe). LIF is also secreted by mesenchymal stromal cells, where it supports hematopoiesis and immune modulation (Nasef et al.). This product is animal component-free.

Supplier: STEMCELL Technologies

Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), also known as type II interferon, is produced by T and NK cells, and in smaller amounts by dendritic cells and macrophages. IFN-γ is controlled by cytokines such as IL-12 and IL-18 secreted in response to infection (Schroder et al.). IFN-γ binds to a receptor complex and initiates signal transduction via the JAK/STAT pathway; this culminates in the transcription and activation of many genes that control a diverse array of immunological functions (de Weerd and Nguyen; Krause et al.). IFN-γ stimulates the antimicrobial and anti-tumor activity of macrophages, NK cells, and neutrophils (Billiau and Matthys) by promoting the activation of microbial effector functions such as production of reactive oxygen species, NO intermediates, and complement (Schroder et al.). IFN-γ enhances MHC class I and II expression in dendritic cells and mononuclear phagocytes, as well as the production of IL-12 by dendritic cells. In B cells, IFN-γ stimulates survival and growth in both mouse and human cells, and redirects B cells from proliferation towards differentiation. IFN-γ favors the development of Th1 vs Th2 cells and stimulates monocyte differentiation and function (Schroder et al.). This product is animal component-free.

Supplier: STEMCELL Technologies

The platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) family has five heparin-binding members that assemble into four homodimers (PDGF-AA, PDGF-BB, PDGF-CC, and PDGF-DD) and one heterodimer (PDGF-AB; Li and Eriksson). PDGF signals through the receptor tyrosine kinases PDGFRα and PDGFRβ. 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 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-CC is secreted as a latent growth factor and requires activation by proteolytic processing (Li and Eriksson). PDGF-CC binds to PDGFRα homodimers and PDGFRαβ heterodimers, but not to PDGFRβ homodimers (Li and Eriksson). PDGF-CC is an angiogenic factor that stimulates coronary artery smooth muscle cell proliferation and plays a role in cardiovascular development (Gilbertson et al.). PDGF-CC is also expressed in many tumors and plays a role in tumorigenesis (Zwerner and May).

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

Interleukin 6 (IL-6) is a pleiotropic growth factor with the wide range of biological activities in immune regulation, hematopoiesis, and oncogenesis. IL-6 is produced by a variety of cell types including T cells, B cells, monocytes and macrophages, fibroblasts, hepatocytes, vascular endothelial cells, and various tumor cell lines. On its own or in combination with other factors such as IL-2 and interferon-γ, IL-6 stimulates the proliferation of B cells, T cells, and hybridoma cells (Hirano et al.; Mihara et al.; Tanaka et al). In combination with cytokines such as IL-3, GM-CSF and SCF, IL-6 has been shown to promote hematopoietic progenitor cell proliferation and differentiation in vitro. IL-6 signals through a cell surface type I cytokine receptor complex consisting of the ligand-binding IL-6α (CD126) and the signal-transducing gp130 subunits. The binding of IL-6 to its receptor system includes activation of JAK/STAT signaling pathway (Mihara et al.; Peters et al.; Tanaka et al.). This product is animal component-free.

Supplier: STEMCELL Technologies

Fibroblast growth factor 8B (FGF-8B) is a member of the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) family and is an isoform of FGF-8. Cytokines in the FGF family possess broad mitogenic and cell survival activities (Folkman andamp; Klagsbrun; Kimelman andamp; Kirschner) and are involved in a variety of biological processes, including cell proliferation, differentiation, survival, and apoptosis (Folkman andamp; Klagsbrun; Klagsbrun; Rifkin andamp; Moscatelli). FGF-8B signals through FGF receptors (FGFRs) to activate PI3K and MAPK pathways. FGF-8B is broadly associated with mitogenic and cell survival activities, and regulates gastrulation, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and later on mesenchymal to epithelial differentiation during embryonic development. FGF-8B has also been found in peripheral blood leukocytes and healthy bone marrow samples (Mattila andamp; Härkönen). FGF-8B has mitogenic effects on somatic cells in the germinal epithelium and is expressed in adult mouse ovarian cells and tissues, which suggests that it regulates maturation of oocytes and seminiferous epithelium in testis (Valve et al.).

Supplier: STEMCELL Technologies

Stem cell factor (SCF) is an early-acting cytokine that plays a pivotal role in the regulation of embryonic and adult hematopoiesis. SCF promotes cell survival, proliferation, differentiation, adhesion, and functional activation of cells at multiple levels of the hematopoietic hierarchy. Together with other cytokines such as thrombopoietin and Flt3/Flk-2 Ligand, SCF is commonly used to promote expansion of primitive hematopoietic stem cells and multi-potent progenitor cells in culture (Martin et al.; Kent et al.). In synergy with various growth factors, including IL-2, IL-3, IL-6, IL-7, G-CSF, and erythropoietin, SCF increases proliferation and differentiation of myeloid and erythroid progenitor cells and a subset of lymphoid progenitor cells (Broudy). SCF is also a primary growth and activation factor for mast cells and eosinophils. SCF exists in two biologically active splice forms: a soluble and a transmembrane isoform. Upon binding to its receptor (c-Kit tyrosine kinase receptor; CD117), it activates PI3K, JAK/STAT, and MAPK pathways. SCF and signaling from c-Kit have also been reported to play an important role in pigmentation, fertility, vasculogenesis, motility of the gut via c-Kit positive interstitial cells of Cajal, and in the migration of neuronal stem and progenitor cells to sites of injury in the brain. This product is animal component-free.

Supplier: STEMCELL Technologies

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a heparin-binding homodimeric glycoprotein involved in vasculogenesis and angiogenesis. VEGF binds to FLT1 (VEGFR-1) and KDR (VEGFR-2), and activates Raf/MEK/ERK and PI3K/AKT pathways (Ferrara et al.). VEGF exists in multiple isoforms that result from alternative splicing of VEGF mRNA in the terminal exon. Proximal splice-site selection in exon 8 results in pro-angiogenic VEGFxxx isoforms (xxx is the number of amino acids), whereas distal splice-site selection results in anti-angiogenic VEGFxxxb isoforms (Nowak et al.). VEGF plays an important role in neurogenesis both in vitro and in vivo (Storkebaum et al.). It has neurotrophic effects on neurons of the central nervous system, and it promotes growth and survival of dopaminergic neurons and astrocytes. VEGF also promotes growth and survival of vascular endothelial cells, monocyte chemotaxis, and colony formation by granulocyte-macrophage progenitor cells (Ferrara et al.). Various splice variants of VEGF exist, with different functions. For example, it has been shown that VEGF isoform VEGF-164(165) and not VEGF-120(121) induces inflammation, stimulates intracellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 expression on endothelial cells, and induces chemotaxis of monocytes (Usui et al.).

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

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

Stem cell factor (SCF) is an early-acting cytokine that plays a pivotal role in the regulation of embryonic and adult hematopoiesis. SCF promotes cell survival, proliferation, differentiation, adhesion, and functional activation of cells at multiple levels of the hematopoietic hierarchy. Together with other cytokines such as thrombopoietin and Flt3/Flk-2 Ligand, SCF is commonly used to promote expansion of primitive hematopoietic stem cells and multi-potent progenitor cells in culture (Martin et al.; Kent et al.). In synergy with various growth factors, including IL-2, IL-3, IL-6, IL-7, G-CSF, and erythropoietin, SCF increases proliferation and differentiation of myeloid and erythroid progenitor cells and a subset of lymphoid progenitor cells (Broudy). SCF is also a primary growth and activation factor for mast cells and eosinophils. SCF exists in two biologically active splice forms: a soluble and a transmembrane isoform. Upon binding to its receptor (c-Kit tyrosine kinase receptor; CD117), it activates PI3K, JAK/STAT, and MAPK pathways. SCF and signaling from c-Kit have also been reported to play an important role in pigmentation, fertility, vasculogenesis, motility of the gut via c-Kit positive interstitial cells of Cajal, and in the migration of neuronal stem and progenitor cells to sites of injury in the brain.

Supplier: STEMCELL Technologies

Interleukin-8 (IL-8) is a member of the CXC subfamily of chemokines and is produced by leukocytic cells (monocytes, T cells, neutrophils, and natural killer cells) and non-leukocytic somatic cells (endothelial cells, fibroblasts, and epithelial cells), with the most prominent source being monocytes and macrophages. Its production is induced by inflammatory stimuli, such as IL-1. IL-8, also known as CXCL8, activates neutrophils inducing chemotaxis, exocytosis, and the respiratory burst (Baggiolini and Clark-Lewis; Mukaida). IL-8 is considered one of the most potent neutrophil chemoattractants in inflammation and binds to two different chemokine receptors on leukocytes: the G protein-coupled receptors CXCR1 and CXCR2 (Hoffmann et al.; de Oliveira et al.). IL-8 has angiogenic effects on human intestinal microvascular endothelial cells in vitro that are mediated by CXCR2 (Heidemann et al.). IL-8 is reported to promote breast cancer progression by increasing cell invasion, angiogenesis, and metastasis and has been reported to be involved in regulating breast cancer stem-like cells (Singh et al.). IL-8 also has proangiogenic properties in inflammatory diseases of the conjunctiva, cornea, iris, retina, and orbit (Ghasemi et al.). It was also shown that a major T cell effector function in human newborns is IL-8 production, which has the potential to activate antimicrobial neutrophils and gamma/delta T cells (Gibbons et al.). A variety of human pathogens, such as HIV and Mycobacterium tuberculosis, have been shown to induce IL-8 production by monocytes and macrophages (Friedland et al.; Meddows-Taylor et al.).

Supplier: STEMCELL Technologies

Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) promotes the proliferation and differentiation of hematopoietic progenitor cells and the generation of neutrophils, eosinophils, and macrophages. In synergy with other cytokines such as stem cell factor, IL-3, erythropoietin, and thrombopoietin, it also stimulates erythroid and megakaryocyte progenitor cells (Barreda et al.). GM-CSF is produced by multiple cell types, including stromal cells, Paneth cells, macrophages, dendritic cells (DCs), endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, fibroblasts, chondrocytes, and Th1 and Th17 T cells (Francisco-Cruz et al.). The receptor for GM-CSF (GM-CSFR) is composed of two subunits: the cytokine-specific α subunit (GMRα; CD116) and the common subunit βc (CD131) shared with IL-3 and IL-5 receptors (Broughton et al.). GM-CSFR is expressed on hematopoietic cells, including progenitor cells and immune cells, as well as non-hematopoietic cells. Recombinant human GM-CSF (rhGM-CSF) promotes the production of myeloid cells of the granulocytic (neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils) and monocytic lineages in vivo. It has been tested for mobilisation of hematopoietic progenitor cells and used to treat chemotherapy-induced neutropenia in patients. GM-CSF is able to stimulate the development of DCs that ingest, process, and present antigens to the immune system (Francisco-Cruz et al.).

Supplier: STEMCELL Technologies

Interleukin 11 (IL-11) is a pleiotropic cytokine with effects on various tissues including the bone marrow, brain, and intestinal mucosa (Du andamp; Williams). It belongs to the IL-6 family of cytokines that share a common signal transducer, gp130. IL-11 induces the proliferation of hematopoietic stem cells (Lemoli et al.) and megakaryocytic progenitor cells (Bruno et al.), the maturation of megakaryocytes (Burstein et al.), and the production of platelets (Neben et al.). IL-11 is produced by a variety of cell types including hematopoietic cells, mesenchymal cells, epithelial cells, and neuronal cells. It was first cloned from a cDNA library of the human bone marrow-derived stromal cell line KM-102 (Kawashima et al.). The binding of IL-11 to its receptor induces heterodimerization with the gp130 subunit and activation of JAK tyrosine kinases. IL-11 was the first pharmacologic agent approved for the treatment of chemotherapy-induced thrombocytopenia. IL-11 also plays a role in cancer progression by inducing the proliferation of epithelial cancer cells and the survival of metastatic cells at distant organs. Recently, IL-11 has gained interest for its role in the pathogenesis of diseases in dysregulated mucosal homeostasis associated with STAT3 upregulation, including gastrointestinal cancers (Putoczki 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 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 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). This product is animal component-free.

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 TRKB kinase receptor, and activates AKT and ERK pathways (Mattson et al.). It is expressed in 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, contributes to adaptive neuronal responses including long-term potentiation, long-term depression, certain forms of short-term synaptic plasticity, as well as 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-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and other supplements, is commonly used to differentiate human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC)-derived neural progenitor cells into neurons (Brafman). This product is animal component-free.

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

Trigger a variety of immunological responses with E. coli Lipopolysaccharide O55:B5 (S-form), a lipopolysaccharide (LPS) derived from the O55:B5 serotype of the Gram-negative bacteria and nbsp Escherichia coli. Composed of a lipid A, a core oligosaccharide, and an O antigen, LPS are glycolipid constituents that reside on the outer membranes of gram-negative bacteria (Kitchens RL et al.). LPS protects bacteria against bile salts and lipophilic antibiotics by maintaining the outer integrity of the cell membrane (Bäckhed F et al.). E. coli lipopolysaccharide O55:B5 (S-form), in particular, is predominantly recognized by toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), which leads to the activation of NF-κβ, a protein complex which plays a key role in regulating immune response (Kuzmich N et al.). Activation of NF-κβ can trigger increased production of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1 and TNF-α by macrophages (Matuschak GM et al.). This LPS can also interact with CD14 to activate phospholipase Cγ2 and kinases of the Src family, trigger influxes of extracellular Ca2+, as well as calcineurin-dependent translocation of the nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) family of transcription factors (Li CC et al.). When added to ImmunoCult™-SF macrophage medium (Catalog #10961), stimulation with lipopolysaccharide from E. coli (O55:B5) and IFN-γ supports the polarization to M1 (classically activated) macrophages. Warning: This product is highly pyrogenic. Avoid all means by which the product may enter the bloodstream.

Supplier: STEMCELL Technologies

The platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) family has five heparin-binding members that assemble into four homodimers (PDGF-AA, PDGF-BB, PDGF-CC, and PDGF-DD) and one heterodimer (PDGF-AB; Fretto et al.; Li and Eriksson). PDGF signals through the receptor tyrosine kinases PDGFRα and PDGFRβ. 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.). 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.).

Supplier: STEMCELL Technologies

Interleukin 11 (IL-11) is a pleiotropic cytokine with effects on various tissues including the bone marrow, brain, and intestinal mucosa (Du and amp; Williams). It belongs to the IL-6 family of cytokines that share a common signal transducer, gp130. Culture of mouse bone marrow cells with IL-11 in combination with IL-3, IL-6, and stem cell factor induces significant expansion and proliferation of colony-forming cells in vitro (Peters et al.). In addition, in combination with IL-3, IL-11 significantly enhances the growth of megakaryocytic colonies in vitro, suggesting its role in augmenting mouse megakaryopoiesis (Yonemura et al.). IL-11 is expressed in a wide range of normal adult mouse tissues, including the central nervous system, thymus, lung, and bone. The mouse IL-11 cDNA was cloned using an expression library generated from the lipopolysaccharide-induced mouse fetal thymic cell line, T2 (Morris et al.). The binding of IL-11 to its receptor induces heterodimerization with the gp130 subunit and activation of JAK tyrosine kinases. IL-11 also plays a role in cancer progression by inducing the proliferation of epithelial cancer cells and the survival of metastatic cells at distant organs. Recently, IL-11 has gained interest for its role in the pathogenesis of diseases in dysregulated mucosal homeostasis associated with STAT3 upregulation, including gastrointestinal cancers (Putoczki et al.).

Supplier: STEMCELL Technologies

Heregulin-beta 1 also known as neuregulin-1 (NRG-1) is a member of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) family of growth factors and acts as a ligand for ErbB family receptor tyrosine kinases (Britsch et al.). Heregulin/neuregulin is a family of structurally related polypeptide growth factors derived from alternatively spliced genes (NRG1, NRG2, NRG3, and NRG4). Heregulin-beta 1 plays an important role during the development of the nervous system, heart, and mammary glands (Britsch). Heregulin-beta 1 is expressed in neuronal cells, and modulates cell growth and differentiation of the cells during development and wound healing (Mei and Xiong). It has been implicated through in vivo and in vitro studies that heregulin-beta 1/ErbB signaling is crucial for multiple aspects of cardiovascular development and protects the heart from ischemic injury (Odiete et al.). Heregulin-beta 1 also promotes invasiveness and metastasis of breast cancer cells (Hutcheson et al.). It has also been shown that heregulin-beta 1 has a role in the growth and maintenance of human embryonic stem cells (Wang et al.).

Supplier: STEMCELL Technologies

Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) promotes the proliferation and differentiation of hematopoietic progenitor cells and the generation of neutrophils, eosinophils, and macrophages. In synergy with other cytokines such as stem cell factor, IL-3, erythropoietin, and thrombopoietin, it also stimulates erythroid and megakaryocyte progenitor cells (Barreda et al.). GM-CSF was first purified from the culture of mouse lung tissue after lipopolysaccharide treatment. GM-CSF is produced by multiple cell types, including stromal cells, Paneth cells, macrophages, dendritic cells (DCs), endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, fibroblasts, chondrocytes, and Th1 and Th17 cells (Francisco-Cruz et al.). The receptor for GM-CSF (GM-CSFR) is composed of two subunits: the cytokine-specific α subunit (GMRα; CD116) and the common subunit βc (CD131) shared with IL-3 and IL-5 receptors (Broughton et al.). GM-CSFR is expressed on hematopoietic cells, including progenitor cells and immune cells, as well as non-hematopoietic cells. GM-CSF is able to stimulate the development of DCs that ingest, process, and present antigens to the immune system (Francisco-Cruz et al.).