Recombinant Human Interleukin-2 (rHuIL-2)

Interleukin 2 is a protein that has a variety of immunologic functions, the most notable being the ability of IL-2 to promote the proliferation and maturation of activated T cells. A comparison of the amino acid sequences of human and murine IL-2 shows an approximately 60% sequence similarity, and human sequence IL-2 has been found to be active on murine cell lines. Some of the biological activities attributed to IL-2 include: ● induction of secretion of interferon-γ and tumor necrosis factors -α and -β from peripheral blood mononuclear cells ● stimulation of the rate of synthesis of c-myc RNA and transferrin receptor ● activation of neutrophils ● stimulation of proliferation and maturation of activated helper T cells ● stimulation of proliferation of activated and natural killer cells and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, as well as enhancement of the ability of these cytotoxic lymphocytes to kill target cells ● induction of the expression of IL-2 receptors on T cells ● stimulation of proliferation of antibody-producing B cells

Product Specifications

CAS Number

9000-83-3

Endotoxin

Less than 1EU/g of rHuIL-2 as determined by LAL method.

Purity

>97% by SDS-PAGE and HPLC analyses.

Bioactivity

Fully biologically active when compared to standard. The ED50 as determined by the dose-dependant stimulation of murine CTLL-2 cells is less than 0.1 ng/ml, corresponding to a specific activity of > 1 x 107 units/mg.

Reconstitution

We recommend that this vial be briefly centrifuged prior to opening to bring the contents to the bottom. Reconstitute in sterile distilled water or aqueous buffer containing 0.1% BSA to a concentration of 0.1-1.0 mg/mL. Stock solutions should be apportioned into working aliquots and stored at <-20C. Further dilutions should be made in appropriate buffered solutions.

Molecular Weight

Approximately 15 kDa, a single non-glycosylated polypeptide chain containing 134 amino acids.

Storage Conditions

This lyophilized preparation is stable at 2-8C, but should be kept at -20C for long term storage, preferably desiccated. Upon reconstitution, the preparation is stable for up to one week at 2-8C. For maximal stability, apportion the reconstituted preparation into working aliquots and store at -20C to -70C. Avoid repeated freeze/thaw cycles.