CST, 49952S, Mouse IL-18 Recombinant Protein

Storage
Mouse IL-18 Recombinant Protein is supplied as lyophilized material that is very stable at -20ºC. 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 storage, store at 4ºC 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-18 was expressed in and is supplied in a lyophilized form.
Background
Interleukin-18 (IL-18), originally known as interferon-gamma inducing factor (IGIF), is part of the IL-superfamily of cytokines (1,2). This proinflammatory cytokine is synthesized as an inactive precursor which requires cleavage by Caspase-1 to become an active, mature molecule, which is secreted by monocytes and macrophages (3,4,6). It induces IFNγ production in T-helper-1 (Th1) cells and natural killer (NK) cells, and can regulate innate immunity via both Th1 and Th2 responses (4,5). Elevated IL-18 levels are associated with autoimmune disease, but may be balanced by binding to IL-18 binding protein (IL-18BP), which along with IL-18 neutralizing antibodies, are being examined in clinical trials (6,7).