Hu Recom IFN-alpha 2B, 100 µg

STEMCELL Technologies offers a human recombinant form of interferon-alpha 2B (IFN-α2B; alternative names IFN-alpha 2, IFNA2, IFNA2b), a type I interferon produced by virus-infected cells that is released as a soluble factor to initiate antiviral responses. IFN-α2 is the most potent IFN-α used in fundamental research and in most clinical applications, and the best-known subvariants 2A and 2B differ by only one or two amino acids at positions 23 and/or 34 of the mature protein. Type I IFNs exert antitumor activity by increasing the cytotoxic activity of NK and T cells, as well as by inhibiting the proliferation of cancer cells.

The product (UniProt accession P01563) is expressed in E. coli and purified to ≥ 95% purity. It is supplied as a lyophilized powder, prepared from a sterile-filtered aqueous solution containing 0.1% trifluoroacetic acid, with a predicted molecular mass of 19.4 kDa. 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. The endotoxin level is ≤ 1 EU/μg protein as measured by kinetic Limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL) analysis.

For storage, the product should be kept at -20°C to -80°C and is stable as supplied for 12 months from the date of receipt. Before use, the vial should be centrifuged and the contents reconstituted in sterile water to at least 0.1 mg/mL by pipetting the solution down the sides of the vial, without vortexing. The material is classified as not a hazardous substance or mixture according to the Globally Harmonized System (GHS), and the safety data sheet indicates it is intended as a laboratory reagent. STEMCELL Technologies' quality management system is certified to ISO 13485; the product is for research use only and not intended for human or animal diagnostic or therapeutic uses unless otherwise stated.