Stromal cell Derived Factor-1 alpha (SDF-1 alpha ), also called CXCL12, is one of two splice variants made by a wide variety of cells when stimulated by inflammatory cytokines such as, TNF, IL-1 or LPS. SDF-1 alpha signals through the G Protein-couple receptor, CXCR4, to recruit activated leukocytes. and SDF-1 alpha share 99% sequence identity. Recombinant SDF-1 alpha is a non-glycosylated Protein, containing 68 amino acids, with a molecular weight of 8 kDa.