The human CNTF recombinant protein consists of a single, non-glycosylated, polypeptide chain containing 199 amino acids.

Ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) is a neurotrophic factor in the four-helix bundle cytokine family, related to interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-11 (IL-11), leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), and oncostatin M (OSM). It binds to the CNFTRα receptor, forming a heterodimer with the IL-6 receptor gp130 and LIF receptor (LIFR)-β, activating JAK/STAT, ERK, and PI3K signaling pathways. CNTF is crucial for neurogenesis and neural stem cell differentiation and has potential therapeutic applications for neurological disorders. It protects rod photoreceptors from light-induced damage, offers therapeutic benefits for retinal degenerative diseases, and protects oligodendrocytes from apoptosis. Additionally, CNTF is used to differentiate human pluripotent stem cell-derived neural progenitor cells into astrocytes.

Synonyms:

Ciliary Neurotrophic Factor, CNTF, HCNTF