rHu IL-6 protein

Product Summary

• High purity human IL-6 protein (Uniprot number: P05231)
• 20.9 kDa (monomer)
• >98%, by SDS-PAGE quantitative densitometry
• Expressed in E. coli
• Animal origin-free (AOF) and carrier protein-
• Manufactured in Cambridge, UK at Qkine laboratories
• Lyophilized from HEPES, NaCl

Alternative Names

• B-cell stimulatory factor 2 (BSF-2), CTL differentiation factor (CDF), Hybridoma growth factor, Interferon beta-2 (IFN-beta-2), IL 6, IL6, Qk93

Reconstitution

Resuspend in sterile-filtered water at >50 µg/ml, add carrier protein if desired, prepare single-use aliquots and store frozen at -20 °C (short-term) or -80 °C (long-term)

For Use Statement

For research use only. This product is not for human use or for direct clinical use as a drug, therapeutic, biologic or medical device.

Certificate of Analysis (CoA)
Certificate of Origin (CoO)
Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
Product Page

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a multifunctional cytokine that plays a crucial role in regulating the immune response, inflammation, and various physiological processes. IL-6 is produced by a variety of cells, including T cells, B cells, monocytes, fibroblasts, endothelial cells, and adipocytes [1].

IL6 protein is a pleiotropic cytokine that belongs to the interleukin family of proteins. IL-6 adopts a four-helix bundle structure, with helices A and D forming the receptor-binding site [2]. It is glycosylated, influencing stability and activity. IL-6 binds to IL-6 receptor (IL-6R), forming a hexameric complex with gp130, initiating downstream signaling via the JAK/STAT pathway. Conformational changes upon receptor binding facilitate signaling.

IL-6 has a primary involvement in the acute phase response, the immediate reaction to infection, injury, or inflammation. IL-6 stimulates the production of acute-phase proteins such as C-reactive protein (CRP), fibrinogen, and serum amyloid A, which help to enhance the immune response and facilitate tissue repair [3,4].

IL6 protein plays a key role in the regulation of the immune system. It promotes the differentiation of B cells into antibody-producing plasma cells and stimulates the proliferation and activation of T cells, enhancing the adaptive immune response. IL-6 acts on various immune cells to modulate inflammation, promoting the recruitment of immune cells to sites of infection or injury [5,6]. IL-6 has diverse effects on different tissues and organs throughout the body. It has been implicated in the regulation of metabolism, with studies suggesting that IL-6 may play a role in energy balance, glucose metabolism, and lipid metabolism. IL-6 has been shown to have both pro- and anti-inflammatory effects depending on the context and the cells involved [7].

Dysregulated IL-6 signaling has been associated with various pathological conditions, including autoimmune diseases, chronic inflammation, and cancer. Elevated levels of IL-6 have been observed in conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and inflammatory bowel disease, where it contributes to tissue damage and disease progression [8].

[1] Rose-John, S., & Heinrich, P. C. Soluble receptors for cytokines and growth factors: generation and biological function. Biochem. J. 436, 241–259 (2012).

[2] Kishimoto, T. Interleukin-6: Discovery of a pleiotropic cytokine. Arthritis Res. Ther. 12(Suppl 1), S2 (2010).

[3] Tanaka, T., Narazaki, M. & Kishimoto, T. Interleukin-6: From bench to bedside. Nat. Rev. Immunol. 20, 230–244 (2020).

[4] Scheller, J., Chalaris, A., Schmidt-Arras, D., & Rose-John, S. The pro- and anti-inflammatory properties of the cytokine interleukin-6. Biochim. Biophys. Acta - Mol. Cell Res. 1813, 878–888 (2011).

[5] Hunter, C. A., & Jones, S. A. IL-6 as a keystone cytokine in health and disease. Nat. Immunol. 16, 448–457 (2015).

[6] Rincon, M. Interleukin-6: from an inflammatory marker to a target for inflammatory diseases. Trends Immunol. 33, 571–577 (2012).

[7] Tanaka, T. & Kishimoto, T. The biology and medical implications of interleukin-6. Cancer Immunol. Res. 2, 288–294 (2014)

[8] Jones, S. A. & Jenkins, B. J. Recent insights into targeting the IL-6 cytokine family in inflammatory diseases and cancer. Nat. Rev. Immunol. 18, 773–789 (2018).