Recombinant human IL-2 (interleukin 2) stimulates growth and differentiation of cells of the lymphoid lineage, such as T, NK, and B cells. IL-2 is a potent immunomodulatory cytokine, as it prevents autoimmunity and has key functions during infections. IL-2 IS stands for interleukin 2 "Improved Sequence", also termed aldesleukin, and is a variant of IL-2 with a serine substitution for the native cysteine at amino acid position 125. Human IL-2 IS is a recombinant protein optimized for use in cell culture, differentiation studies, and functional assays, and possesses the same biological properties as naturally occurring IL-2.
Applications
Human IL-2 IS can be used for a variety of applications including:
In vitro activation and propagation of T cells, e.g., in combination with the T Cell Activation/Expansion Kit, human.
In vitro stimulation of cytolytic function and expansion of NK cells, e.g., using the NK Cell Activation/Expansion Kit, human.
Generation of lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cells or cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cells.
Background information
IL-2, a potent lymphoid cell growth factor, is a typical four α-helix bundle cytokine. It is produced by activated T cells, especially the CD4
+
T helper cell population. It plays an important role in both the activation and maintenance of immune responses and in lymphocyte development. IL-2 promotes proliferation and differentiation of T cells, NK cells and B cells and is involved in the elimination of self-reactive T cells. IL-2 signals through a receptor complex consisting of IL-2 receptor α-chain (CD25), β- chain, and common γ-chain. The latter two are also used for IL-15 signaling.
Quality description
Research-grade
cytokines are suitable for a wide variety of cell culture applications. They are sterile-filtered prior to lyophilization. Generally, endotoxin levels are <0.1 ng/μg (<1 EU/μg), and purities are >95%. The biological activity is tested in appropriate bioassays.
Premium-grade
cytokines offer the convenience of high and well-defined biological activities and allow exact unit dosing for demanding applications. The biological activity is determined after lyophilization and reconstitution, and normalized to WHO/NIBSC standards whenever available. In general, endotoxin levels are <0.01 ng/μg (<0.1 EU/μg), and purities are >97%. Lot-specific certificates of analysis are available on request (macstec@miltenyibiotec.de).
Activity of Human IL-2 IS, premium grade (red line) was compared to commercially available aldesleukin (black line).
Human IL-2 IS activity assay.
Activity of Human IL-2 IS, premium grade (red line) was compared to commercially available aldesleukin (black line).
Selected references
Engelmann S. et al. (2013) T cell-independent modulation of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in ADAP-deficient mice. J. Immunol. 191(10): 4950-4959
Nguyen, T. L. et al. (2011) Antigen-specific TGF-β-induced regulatory T cells secrete chemokines, regulate T cell trafficking, and suppress ongoing autoimmunity. J. Immunol. 187(4): 1745-1753
Ng, S. B. et al. (2011) Dysregulated microRNAs affect pathways and targets of biologic relevance in nasal-type natural killer/T-cell lymphoma. Blood 118(18): 4919-4929
Valignat, M. P. et al. (2013) T lymphocytes orient against the direction of fluid flow during LFA-1-mediated migration. Biophys. J. 104(2): 322-331