Stem Cell Factor (SCF)
Quick Facts
| Feature | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Stem Cell Factor |
| Abbreviation | SCF |
| Alternative Names | KIT Ligand (KITLG), c-Kit Ligand, Steel Factor (SLF) |
| Molecule Type | Recombinant Growth Factor |
| Family | Stem Cell Factor Family |
| Molecular Weight | ~18-31 kDa (Isoform dependent) |
| Primary Receptor | c-Kit (CD117) |
| Typical Working Concentration | 10-100 ng/mL |
| Common Stock Concentration | 10-100 μg/mL |
Overview
Stem Cell Factor (SCF), also known as KIT Ligand (KITLG) or Steel Factor, is a cytokine-like growth factor that regulates the survival, proliferation, migration, and maintenance of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and other c-Kit-expressing cell populations.
SCF is an essential component of many hematopoietic stem cell expansion protocols and is also widely used in germ cell biology, mast cell culture, melanocyte research, and pluripotent stem cell differentiation.
Biological Function
SCF regulates numerous cellular processes, including:
- Promotes stem cell survival
- Stimulates cell proliferation
- Maintains hematopoietic stem cells
- Enhances progenitor cell expansion
- Supports cell migration
- Inhibits apoptosis
- Promotes differentiation in specific lineages
Mechanism of Action
SCF binds to the c-Kit (CD117) receptor, a receptor tyrosine kinase expressed on hematopoietic stem cells and several progenitor cell populations.
Ligand binding induces receptor dimerization and autophosphorylation, activating multiple intracellular signaling pathways, including:
- PI3K-AKT pathway
- MAPK/ERK pathway
- JAK-STAT pathway
- Src family kinase pathways
These signaling cascades regulate stem cell maintenance, proliferation, survival, and differentiation.
Common Applications
SCF is widely used for:
- Hematopoietic stem cell culture
- Hematopoietic progenitor expansion
- Mast cell culture
- Germ cell culture
- Melanocyte biology
- Stem cell differentiation
- Regenerative medicine
- Gene therapy research
- Bone marrow biology
Cell Types Commonly Supplemented with SCF
| Cell Type | Typical Application |
|---|---|
| Hematopoietic Stem Cells (HSCs) | Expansion and maintenance |
| Hematopoietic Progenitor Cells | Survival and proliferation |
| CD34⁺ Cells | Ex vivo expansion |
| Mast Cells | Growth and maturation |
| Germ Cells | Survival |
| Melanocytes | Maintenance |
| Human iPSCs | Hematopoietic differentiation |
| Human ESCs | Blood lineage differentiation |
SCF is commonly combined with additional cytokines for optimal expansion and differentiation.
Typical Working Concentrations
| Application | Typical Concentration |
|---|---|
| Hematopoietic Stem Cells | 20-100 ng/mL |
| CD34⁺ Cell Expansion | 50-100 ng/mL |
| Mast Cell Culture | 25-100 ng/mL |
| Stem Cell Differentiation | 20-50 ng/mL |
Advantages
- Essential growth factor for hematopoietic stem cells
- Promotes stem cell survival and proliferation
- Supports ex vivo expansion of progenitor cells
- Widely used in regenerative medicine
- Well-characterized c-Kit signaling pathway
- Compatible with serum-free stem cell media
Limitations
- Activity depends on c-Kit receptor expression
- Rarely used as a single growth factor
- Sensitive to repeated freeze-thaw cycles
- Relatively expensive
- High concentrations may alter lineage commitment in some differentiation protocols
Related Growth Factors
Frequently combined with:
- Fms-like Tyrosine Kinase 3 Ligand (FLT3L)
- Interleukin-3 (IL-3)
- Interleukin-6 (IL-6)
- Thrombopoietin (TPO)
- Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor (G-CSF)
- Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor (GM-CSF)
- Erythropoietin (EPO)
See Also
- Growth Factor Handling and Storage Guide
- Hematopoietic Stem Cell Culture
- CD34⁺ Cell Expansion
- Bone Marrow Cell Culture
- Stem Cell Differentiation
- c-Kit Signaling
Key Takeaways
- SCF is the principal growth factor regulating c-Kit-positive stem and progenitor cells.
- It signals through the c-Kit (CD117) receptor, activating PI3K-AKT, MAPK/ERK, JAK-STAT, and Src signaling pathways.
- SCF is indispensable for hematopoietic stem cell maintenance, CD34⁺ cell expansion, mast cell culture, and hematopoietic differentiation.
- It is commonly combined with cytokines such as FLT3L, IL-3, IL-6, and TPO for ex vivo stem cell expansion.
- Typical working concentrations range from 10-100 ng/mL, depending on the application.
References
- Besmer P. Current Opinion in Cell Biology (1991).
- Lennartsson J, Rönnstrand L. Physiological Reviews (2012).
- Freshney RI. Culture of Animal Cells: A Manual of Basic Technique and Specialized Applications.
- Thermo Fisher Scientific. Recombinant Human SCF Product Information.
- PeproTech. Recombinant Human SCF Product Datasheet.