Recombinant Human Flt-3 Ligand/FLT3L, ACFP Protein

Recombinant Human Flt-3 Ligand/FLT3L, ACFP Protein Summary

Product Specifications

Product Datasheets

Carrier Free

CF stands for Carrier Free (CF). We typically add Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) as a carrier protein to our recombinant proteins. Adding a carrier protein enhances protein stability, increases shelf-life, and allows the recombinant protein to be stored at a more dilute concentration. The carrier free version does not contain BSA.

In general, we advise purchasing the recombinant protein with BSA for use in cell or tissue culture, or as an ELISA standard. In contrast, the carrier free protein is recommended for applications, in which the presence of BSA could interfere.

Background: Flt-3 Ligand/FLT3L

Flt‑3 Ligand, also known as FL, is an alpha -helical cytokine that promotes the differentiation of multiple hematopoietic cell lineages (1-3). Mature human Flt‑3 Ligand consists of a 158 amino acid (aa) extracellular domain (ECD) with a cytokine-like domain and a juxtamembrane tether region, a 21 aa transmembrane segment, and a 30 aa cytoplasmic tail (4-7). Within the ECD, human Flt‑3 Ligand shares 71% and 65% aa sequence identity with mouse and rat Flt‑3 Ligand, respectively. Human and mouse Flt‑3 Ligand show cross-species activity (4-6). Flt‑3 Ligand is expressed as a noncovalently-linked dimer by T cells and bone marrow and thymic fibroblasts (1, 8). Each 36 kDa chain carries approximately 12 kDa of N- and O-linked carbohydrates (8). Alternate splicing and proteolytic cleavage of the transmembrane form can generate a soluble 30 kDa fragment that includes the cytokine domain (4, 8). Alternate splicing of human Flt‑3 Ligand also generates membrane-associated isoforms that contain either a truncated cytoplasmic tail or an 85 aa substitution following the cytokine domain (4, 5, 8). Both transmembrane and soluble Flt‑3 Ligand signal through the tyrosine kinase receptor Flt-3/Flk-2 (3, 4, 6, 7). Flt‑3 Ligand induces the expansion of monocytes and immature dendritic cells as well as early B cell lineage differentiation (2, 9). It synergizes with IL-3, GM-CSF, and SCF to promote the mobilization and myeloid differentiation of hematopoietic stem cells (4-6). It cooperates with IL-2, -6, -7, and -15 to induce NK cell development and with IL-3, -7, and -11 to induce terminal B cell maturation (1, 10). Animal studies also show
Flt‑3 Ligand to reduce the severity of experimentally induced allergic inflammation (11).

Manufacturing Specifications

Animal Component-Free Process (ACFP) Manufacturing Conditions
R&D Systems Animal Component-Free Process (ACFP) recombinant proteins are expressed in an animal-free certified Sf 9 insect cell line using dedicated animal-free raw materials and labware. Production and purification procedures use equipment and media that are confirmed animal-free but performed outside our dedicated animal-free laboratories. Every stage of the manufacturing process follows R&D Systems' stringent Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). The certified Sf 9 insect cell bank has undergone extensive testing to certify the lack of cytopathogens by screening for various viruses, Mycoplasma, and Spiroplasmas using both in vitro and in vivo testing methods. For ex vivo research or bioproduction, additional documentation can be provided.

Please read our complete ACFP Statement 

Related Research Areas

• Dendritic Cell Development
• Growth Factors
• Hematopoietic Stem Cells
• SCF, Flt-3 Ligand and M-CSF