IL-28, human recombinant

IL-28A is distantly related to type I interferons and the IL-10 family. Expression of IL-28A is induced by viral infection which interacts with a heterodimeric class II cytokine receptor that consists of interleukin 10 receptor, β (IL10RB) and interleukin 28 receptor α. IL-28A exhibits common features with type I IFNs such as antiviral activity, antiproliferative activity and in vivo antitumour activity. IL-28A acts similarly to IFNs, but is less effective generally and has activity in a more limited range of cell lines. IL-28A induces ELR(-) CXC chemokine mRNA in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells, in an IFN-γ-independent manner. IL-28A produced in response to viral infection, activates both monocytes and macrophages producing a restricted panel of cytokines and therefore is an important factor in activating innate immune responses at the site of viral infection. Recombinant human IL-28A produced in E.Coli is a single, non-glycosylated, polypeptide chain containing 175 amino acids and having a molecular mass of 19.6 kDa.