IL-6 is a pleiotropic cytokine that participates in a wide variety of biological functions such as acute phase response, inflammation, hematopoiesis, bone metabolism and cancer. While produced mainly by stimulated monocytes, fibroblasts and endothelial cells, IL-6 is also known to be produced by macrophages, T cells, B lymphocytes, granulocytes, smooth muscle cells, eosinophils, chondrocytes, osteoblasts, mast cells, glial cells and keratinocytes, upon stimulation. Unlike murine IL-6 which is inactive on human cells, both human and murine IL-6 are equally active on murine cells. The IL-6 receptor is a strongly glycosylated protein of 80 kDa and a length of 449 amino acids (designated CD126). Recombinant human IL-6 is a 21 kDa, glycosylated protein that contains two disulfide bridges.
<1.0 EU/μg of recombinant protein as determined by the LAL method.
Biological Activity Comment
The ED(50) was determined by the dose-dependent stimulation of the proliferation of murine 7TD1 cells was found to be less than 0.1 ng/mL, corresponding to specific activity of 1.0 x 10^7 IU/mg.
Weight
21.0 kDa
Description
A quick spin of the vial followed by reconstitution in sterile PBS to a concentration not less than 0.1 mg/mL. This solution can then be diluted into other buffers.
Format
Lyophilized PowderInterleukin-6 was lyophilized from a 0.2 μm filtered PBS solution pH 7.0.
Purity
>95% as determined by SDS-PAGE
Storage
The lyophilized protein is stable for at least one year from date of receipt at -70°C. Upon reconstitution, this cytokine can be stored in working aliquots at 2° - 8°C for one month, or at -20°C for six months, with a carrier protein without detectable loss of activity. Avoid repeated freeze/thaw cycles.