Merck, I0523-20UG, Interleukin-2 from mouse

General description
IL-2 (interleukin-2) codes for a pro-inflammatory cytokine. IL-2 is mostly expressed in T helper cells.
Application
Interleukin-2 from mouse has been used to induce sepsis in rat model. It has also been used in dendritic epidermal T cell culture.
Biochem/physiol Actions
Interleukin-2 (IL-2) is an immunomodulatory factor produced by certain subsets of T lymphocytes. This lymphokine promotes long-term growth of activated T cells and related cell types. IL-2 plays a role in the activation and proliferation of natural killer cells, induces γ-interferon and B cell growth factor secretion, and modulates the expression of the IL-2 receptor. IL-2 expression is known to reduce with age and results in influenza infection, neoplasms and lethal autoimmunity. IL-2 participates in T cell proliferation and differentiation and controls the homeostasis of T cell. As a part of immune response, IL-2 stimulates the action of T helper cell 1 and 2 along with endothelial white blood cells of skeletal muscles. IL-2 regulation is controlled by c-rel protein. IL-2 is a neurotrophic molecule and has special functions in cortical, hippocampal, septal, cerebellar and retinal neurons.
Physical form
Lyophilized from a 0.2 μm filtered solution in 10 mM sodium citrate, pH 4.0.
Analysis Note
Activity was determined by dose-dependent stimulation of murine CTLL-2 cells. ED₅₀ : ≤ 0.2 ng/ml (corresponds to a specific activity of 5 × 10⁶ units/mg)