Cytokines
Product List
Recombinant Human Interferon gamma protein (IFNG), (Active)
This Recombinant Human IFNG (Interferon gamma) is a highly purified and biologically active protein, playing a critical role in immunology research. IFNG, also known as immune interferon, is a crucial cytokine mediating immune response modulation and defense against viral infections.
This tag-free recombinant protein is produced using an E. coli expression system, ensuring its high purity level exceeding 98%, as confirmed by SDS-PAGE and HPLC analysis. With a complete mature protein sequence encompassing amino acids 24 to 166, it offers a reliable and consistent tool for your immunological investigations.
This IFNG protein exhibits full biological activity compared to a standard reference. In anti-viral assays employing human HeLa cells infected with encephalomyocarditis (EMC) virus, it demonstrates an effective dose (ED50) range of 0.15-0.80 ng/ml. Furthermore, the product has been rigorously tested to have an endotoxin level below 1.0 EU/µg, ensuring its suitability for sensitive applications. It is supplied as a lyophilized powder, providing stability and ease of use in your research experiments and applications.
Introduction
Interferons (IFNs) are a group of signaling proteins produced and released by host cells in response to the presence of pathogens, such as viruses, bacteria, and parasites . They belong to the larger class of proteins known as cytokines, which are crucial for communication between cells to trigger the protective defenses of the immune system . Interferons are named for their ability to “interfere” with viral replication within host cells .
Interferons are classified into three main types based on the type of receptor through which they signal:
- Type I Interferons: This group includes IFN-α, IFN-β, IFN-ε, IFN-κ, and IFN-ω. They bind to a specific cell surface receptor complex known as the IFN-α/β receptor (IFNAR) .
- Type II Interferons: This group consists of IFN-γ, which binds to the IFN-γ receptor (IFNGR) .
- Type III Interferons: This group includes IFN-λ1, IFN-λ2, IFN-λ3, and IFN-λ4, which signal through the IFN-λ receptor (IFNLR) .
Interferons exhibit several key biological properties:
- Expression Patterns: Interferons are produced by various cell types, including leukocytes, fibroblasts, and epithelial cells, in response to viral infections .
- Tissue Distribution: They are distributed across different tissues, with plasmacytoid dendritic cells being prolific producers of IFN-α and IFN-β .
- Key Biological Properties: Interferons induce an antiviral state in cells, enhance the immune response, and regulate cell growth and differentiation .
Interferons play several crucial roles in the immune system:
- Primary Biological Functions: They inhibit viral replication, activate immune cells such as natural killer cells and macrophages, and increase antigen presentation by up-regulating major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules .
- Role in Immune Responses: Interferons are essential for the innate immune response, providing the first line of defense against viral infections .
- Pathogen Recognition: They help in recognizing and responding to pathogens by activating various immune cells and signaling pathways .
Interferons exert their effects through several mechanisms:
- Binding Partners: They bind to specific receptors on the surface of target cells, initiating a signaling cascade .
- Downstream Signaling Cascades: This binding leads to the activation of various genes that produce antiviral proteins, inhibit viral replication, and modulate the immune response .
- Interaction with Other Molecules and Cells: Interferons interact with other cytokines and immune cells to coordinate a comprehensive immune response .
The expression and activity of interferons are tightly regulated:
- Transcriptional Regulation: Interferon regulatory factors (IRFs) play a crucial role in the transcriptional regulation of interferon genes .
- Post-Translational Modifications: Interferons undergo various post-translational modifications that affect their stability, activity, and interactions with other proteins .
- Control of Expression: The production of interferons is induced by the recognition of viral components through pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) such as Toll-like receptors (TLRs) .
Interferons have several applications in biomedical research and medicine:
- Biomedical Research: They are used to study viral infections, immune responses, and cancer biology .
- Diagnostic Tools: Interferons can be used as biomarkers for certain diseases and infections .
- Therapeutic Strategies: Interferons are used in the treatment of various conditions, including viral infections (e.g., hepatitis B and C), multiple sclerosis, and certain cancers .
Interferons play a role throughout the life cycle, from development to aging and disease:
- Development: They are involved in the development of the immune system and the establishment of immune responses .
- Aging: The production and response to interferons can change with age, affecting immune function .
- Disease: Dysregulation of interferon production or signaling can contribute to various diseases, including autoimmune disorders and chronic inflammatory conditions .
