
%0 Journal Article
%A Gough, NM 
%A Williams, RL 
%A Hilton, DJ 
%A Pease, S 
%A Willson, TA 
%A Stahl, J 
%A Gearing, DP 
%A Nicola, NA 
%A Metcalf, D 
%T LIF: a molecule with divergent actions on myeloid leukaemic cells and embryonic stem cells
%J Reproduction, Fertility and Development
%D 1989/12/01
%V 1
%N 4
%P 281-288
%K 
%R https://doi.org/10.1071/RD9890281
%U https://www.publish.csiro.au/paper/RD9890281 
%X We have previously characterized, purified and cloned a novel murine and human regulator [leukaemia inhibitory factor, LIF] which induces the differentiation of certain murine and human myeloid leukaemic cells. Recently we have shown that there are specific LIF receptors on murine embryonic stem [ES] and embryonal carcinoma [EC] cells and that purified recombinant LIF can substitute for feeder cells and crude sources of differentiation inhibiting activity [DIA] [such as BRL-cell-conditioned medium] in the maintenance of ES cells in a pluripotential state in vitro. Furthermore, ES cells maintained in culture in recombinant LIF for a prolonged period can give rise to germline chimaeric mice. Thus, based on a number of biochemical and biological similarities, it is likely that LIF and DIA are the same molecule. The identification of LIF as a molecule, necessary and sufficient for the maintenance of ES cells in culture, should have a profound impact on the use of these cells for genetic manipulations. 
