Table 2.

Pleiotropic effects of LIF revealed by LIF^−/− KO mice model analysis

	Effects of LIF	Ref
Implantation	LIF is required for implantation of blastocysts.	[19, 20]
Hematopoiesis	LIF is involved in the maintenance of HSC pools.	[20]
	LIF is secreted by mesenchymal stromal cells to stimulate survival and proliferation of haematopoietic stem cells.	[135]
	LIF regulates the differentiation potential of MSC.	[59]
Muscles	LIF contributes to regenerate muscle.	[197]
	LIF is critical for the development of skeletal muscle hypertrophy in the functional overload model.	[143]
Vessels	LIF modulates oxygen-dependant VEGF expression and is essential for ensuring proper capillary density.	[198]
Bones	LIF regulates osteoclast size.	[199]
Neurons	LIF is a key regulator of neural injury.	[200]
	LIF is involved in glia phenotypes.	[201]
	LIF prevents oligodendrocytes destruction and improve remyelination of neurons in mice suffering from multiple sclerosis.	[202]
	LIF is required for normal development of hippocampal astrocytes, a process regulated by spontaneous neural impulse activity through the release of ATP.	[203]
	LIF is required for correct myelination for a short time window, during postnatal mouse optic nerve development.	[152]
	LIF may activate an endogenous rescue pathway that protects viable photoreceptor cells, leading to an increased photoreceptor survival in stressed retina.	[204]
	LIF signalling pathway is required for the initiation of the astrogliosis-like reaction of retinal Müller cells after optic nerve injury.	[205]
	LIF is necessary for injury-induced neurogenesis.	[206]
Inflammation	LIF is a major anti-inflammatory molecule produced in the CFA model (injection of complete Freund’s adjuvant which induces cutaneous inflammation). It is a key regulator of the cytokine cascade.	[207]
Hormonal functions	LIF regulates the production of pituitary ACTH and inhibits the production of prolactin and growth hormone.	[208]