Description
Storage
Mouse IL-4 Recombinant Protein is supplied as lyophilized material that is very stable at -20°C. It is recommended to reconstitute with sterile water at a concentration of 0.1 mg/mL which can be further diluted in aqueous solutions as needed. Addition of a carrier protein (0.1% HSA or BSA) is recommended for long-term storage. Once in solution, store at 4°C and use within 1 month, or store at -20ºC to -80ºC and use within 3 months to prevent loss of potency. Aliquot to avoid multiple freeze/thaw cycles if storing reconstituted material at -20ºC to -80ºC.
Source / Purification
Recombinant mouse IL-4 was expressed in and is supplied in a lyophilized form.
Background
Interleukin-4 (IL-4) is produced by T cells, NK T cells, γδ cells, and mast cells (1). Target cells include B cells, T cells, and macrophages (1). IL-4 induces the polarization of naïve helper T cells into the Th2 phenotype (1,2). IL-4 also promotes B cell proliferation, antibody class switching, and the production of other Th2 cytokines, including IL-5 and IL-9. IL-4 induced Th2 polarization is important in developing humoral immunity against extracellular pathogens (1) and is involved in the development of allergy and asthma (3). IL-4 binds to two distinct receptors, the Type I receptor and Type II receptor. Type I receptor is a heterodimer consisting of the IL-4Rα chain and the common gamma chain, γc (4,5). Type II receptor, which is shared with IL-13, is a heterodimer of IL-4Rα and IL-13Rα1. Signaling initiated via the Type I receptor activates the Jak1/Stat6, Jak3, and PI3K/Akt pathways (4). The Type II receptor activates the Jak1/Stat6 and Tyk2/Stat3 pathways (4).
