Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 18, 2026
Quantitative Measurement of Intrathecally Synthesized Proteins in Mice
Published on: November 29, 2019
Quantitative analyses of leukemia inhibitory factor in the cerebrospinal fluid in mouse embryos
Toshihisa Hatta1, Akihiro Matsumoto, Atsuki Ono
1Department of Developmental Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Shimane University, Izumo, Shimane, Japan. thatta@med.shimane-u.ac.jp
Insights
Leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) is crucial for neural stem cell renewal. This study measured LIF in mouse cerebrospinal fluid, finding high levels during critical embryonic brain development periods.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) plays a role in neural stem cell self-renewal.
- Endogenous LIF in brain parenchyma is debated, but cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is a potential source.
- Previous studies have not quantified LIF concentrations in CSF.
Purpose of the Study:
- To measure LIF concentrations in the CSF of developing mice.
- To investigate the temporal pattern of LIF in CSF during embryonic development.
- To correlate LIF levels with key neurodevelopmental events.
Main Methods:
- Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used for quantification.
- Measurements were performed on CSF, amniotic fluid, and sera from embryonic and adult mice.
- Samples were collected at various embryonic days (E11-E17).
Main Results:
- LIF concentrations were consistently high in CSF from E11 to E17.
- A significant peak in CSF LIF was observed around embryonic days 13 and 14.
- These high LIF levels coincide with the primary period of cortical neuron production.
Conclusions:
- Cerebrospinal fluid is a significant source of Leukemia Inhibitory Factor during mouse embryonic development.
- The temporal profile of CSF LIF aligns with the critical window for cortical neurogenesis.
- These findings suggest a crucial role for CSF-borne LIF in regulating embryonic brain development.
Abstract:
Leukemia inhibitory factor contributes to the self-renewal of neural stem cells in the forebrain. Although the existence of endogenous leukemia inhibitory factor in the brain parenchyma has been controversial, the cerebrospinal fluid is known to be another source of leukemia inhibitory factor. No reports of the measurement of leukemia inhibitory factor concentrations in the cerebrospinal fluid, however, exist. In the present study, we determined the leukemia inhibitory factor concentration in cerebrospinal fluid, amniotic fluid, and sera of embryos and dams in mice by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The leukemia inhibitory factor concentrations were found to be constitutively high in the cerebrospinal fluid from embryonic day 11 to embryonic day 17, with a peak on embryonic day 13 and embryonic day 14. These findings correspond to the timing of cortical neuron production in mouse cerebrum.
