Hu Recom IFN-alpha 2A, 100 µg

A human recombinant type I interferon supplied by STEMCELL Technologies for use as a laboratory reagent in fundamental research. IFN-alpha is produced by virus-infected cells and released as a soluble factor to initiate antiviral responses. IFN-α2 is described as the most potent IFN-alpha variant used in fundamental research and in most clinical applications, with the 2A and 2B subvariants differing by only one or two amino acids at positions 23 and/or 34 of the mature protein.

Type I IFNs exert potent antitumor activity by increasing the cytotoxic activity of NK and T cells and by inhibiting the proliferation of cancer cells. Proinflammatory IFN-alpha has also been shown to modulate the function of B cells in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, and pegylated forms of IFN-alpha 2A and 2B have implications in the treatment of hepatitis C. The product is intended for research use only and is not intended for human or animal diagnostic or therapeutic uses unless otherwise stated.

The cytokine is produced in E. coli with a stated purity of ≥ 95%, a predicted molecular mass of 19.4 kDa (Accession Number P01563), and an endotoxin level of ≤ 1 EU/μg protein as measured by kinetic Limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL) analysis. The specific activity is ≥ 2 x 10^8 units/mg, with an EC50 ≤ 5 pg/mL as determined in a viral challenge assay using encephalomyocarditis (EMC) virus on A549 cells. It is lyophilized from a sterile-filtered aqueous solution containing 0.1% trifluoroacetic acid and should be stored at -20°C to -80°C; it is stable as supplied for 12 months from the date of receipt. Reconstitution guidance recommends sterile water to at least 0.1 mg/mL, without vortexing.