Description
Storage
Human IL-1RA 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 human IL-1RA was expressed in and is supplied in a lyophilized form.
Background
The founding members of the interleukin-1 (IL-1) superfamily include pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1α and IL-1β, and a third protein that acts as an IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RA). At least six similar proteins have been recently identified, including a homolog of IL-1RA (IL1F5). The three better-characterized proteins (IL-1α, IL-1β, and IL-1RA) are mainly expressed in macrophages, monocytes, and dendritic cells. IL-1α and IL-1β act as potent inflammatory cytokines that help regulate host defense and immune responses (1). Binding of these pro-inflammatory cytokines to an IL-1 receptor recruits adaptor proteins (such as IRAK) to the receptor. Phosphorylation of these adaptor proteins promotes downstream signaling cascades associated with the immune response (2). Altered expression of both IL-1α and IL-1β is associated with an extensive list of human disorders, including Alzheimer's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and various forms of cancer (3,4). IL-1RA acts as an anti-inflammatory cytokine, binding the IL-1 receptor to limit the response to inflammation (5). Because it plays a key role in regulating the inflammatory response, recombinant IL-1RA is a therapeutic agent used in the treatment of diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis. Alternatively, mutation of the corresponding gene may be associated with susceptibility to the development of specific cancers (6).
