Recombinant Rat SCF (carrier-free)

Rat SCF was identified and purified from buffalo rat liver-conditioned medium. It is synthesized as a membrane-bound form of 273 amino acids. The protein contains a proteolytic cleavage site that is cleaved from the cell to release an active soluble protein. The soluble SCF is glycosylated at both N-linked and O-linked sites. MMP-9 plays a physiological role in SCF release from the membrane, and this action has a significant part in differentiating and mobilizing stem and progenitors cells from the bone marrow. SCF increases the proliferation of myeloid and lymphoid hematopoietic progenitors in bone marrow cultures. SCF/c-kit interaction in mast cells results in mast cell degranulation and liberation of mediators, such as histamine, inflammatory cytokines, and chemokines. Also, activation of c-kit in dendritic cells regulates T helper cell differentiation and allergic asthma. In addition, SCF plays an important role in revascularization of ischemic limbs. Ischemia induces plasma elevation of SCF and thrombopoietin (TPO) and lower levels of GM-CSF and erythropoietin (EPO). SCF and TPO induce the release of CXCL12 from platelets thereby increasing CXCL12 levels in plasma. This results in an extensive mobilization of CXCR4+VEGFR1+ cells (hemangiocytes) accelerating revascularization of the ischemic limbs. SCF and its receptor (c-kit) drive the recruitment and expansion of different stem cell types, including hematopoietic, neuronal, germ, and cardiac. SCF gene transfer promotes cardiac repair after myocardial infarction via in situ recruitment and expansion of c-kit+ cells. Also, c-kit signaling plays a key role in the pancreas, including islet morphogenesis, islet vascularization, and beta cell survival and function.