Hu Recom IL-2 (E.coli Expr.), 500 µg

A monomeric cytokine originally identified as a T cell growth factor, this human recombinant Interleukin 2 (IL-2) from STEMCELL Technologies is expressed in E. coli and lyophilized from a sterile-filtered aqueous solution containing 0.1% trifluoroacetic acid. IL-2 binds to heterotrimeric receptors consisting of CD25, CD122, and CD132, and upon binding activates JAK3-, STAT5-, and AKT-dependent signaling pathways, resulting in cellular proliferation and survival. The majority of IL-2 is secreted by activated CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, although B cells and dendritic cells also produce IL-2 in small amounts. IL-2 downregulates immune responses to prevent autoimmunity during thymic development, influences the development of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells, and affects the development of follicular helper T cells; IL-2 also controls inflammation by inhibiting Th17 differentiation. High serum IL-2 levels are associated with progression of scleroderma, rheumatoid arthritis, and gastric and non-small cell lung cancer, though no known disease can be directly attributed to the lack or excess of IL-2.

The predicted molecular mass is 15.5 kDa (UniProt accession P60568). Alternative names include Aldesleukin, Interleukin-2, T cell growth factor, and TCGF. The specific activity is ≥ 3.33 x 10^5 units/mg, with an EC50 ≤ 3 ng/mL as determined by a cell proliferation assay using CTLL-2 cells. Purity is ≥ 97% and endotoxin level is ≤ 0.1 EU/μg protein, measured by kinetic Limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL) analysis. The product is for research use only and is not intended for human or animal diagnostic or therapeutic uses unless otherwise stated.

Store at -20 to -80°C; the product is stable as supplied for 12 months from date of receipt. Centrifuge the vial before opening and reconstitute in sterile 10 mM hydrochloric acid to at least 0.1 mg/mL by pipetting the solution down the sides of the vial; do not vortex. Optionally, after reconstitution, dilute with concentrated bovine serum albumin (BSA) to a final BSA concentration of 0.1% if the product will not be used immediately. As a general guide, do not store at 2-8°C for more than 1 month or at -20 to -80°C for more than 3 months, and avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles.