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. 1999 Apr 15;339(Pt 2):429–434.

Cellulose as an inert matrix for presenting cytokines to target cells: production and properties of a stem cell factor-cellulose-binding domain fusion protein.

J G Doheny 1, E J Jervis 1, M M Guarna 1, R K Humphries 1, R A Warren 1, D G Kilburn 1
PMCID: PMC1220174  PMID: 10191276

Abstract

A chimaera of stem cell factor (SCF) and a cellulose-binding domain from the xylanase Cex (CBDCex) effectively immobilizes SCF on a cellulose surface. The fusion protein retains both the cytokine properties of SCF and the cellulose-binding characteristics of CBDCex. When adsorbed on cellulose, SCF-CBDCex is up to 7-fold more potent than soluble SCF-CBDCex and than native SCF at stimulating the proliferation of factor-dependent cell lines. When cells are incubated with cellulose-bound SCF-CBDCex, activated receptors and SCF-CBDCex co-localize on the cellulose matrix. The strong binding of SCF-CBDCex to the cellulose surface permits the effective and localized stimulation of target cells; this is potentially significant for long-term perfusion culturing of factor-dependent cells. It also permits the direct analysis of the effects of surface-bound cytokines on target cells.

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Selected References

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