IL 13 Human, His

Interleukin-13 (IL-13) is a cytokine that plays a crucial role in the immune system, particularly in the regulation of inflammatory and immune responses. It is produced primarily by T helper type 2 (Th2) cells, but also by other cell types such as CD4 cells, natural killer T cells, mast cells, basophils, eosinophils, and nuocytes . The recombinant form of IL-13, tagged with a histidine (His) tag, is widely used in research and therapeutic applications.

IL-13 is a protein encoded by the IL13 gene located on chromosome 5q31.1 . It has a molecular weight of approximately 13 kDa and folds into four alpha-helical bundles . The His tag, typically a sequence of six histidine residues, is added to the recombinant protein to facilitate purification through affinity chromatography .

The recombinant IL-13 (Human, His Tag) is often expressed in HEK293 cells, a human embryonic kidney cell line, which ensures proper protein folding and post-translational modifications . The protein is usually purified to a high degree of purity (>95%) and is available in both lyophilized and liquid forms .

IL-13 is involved in various stages of B-cell maturation and differentiation. It up-regulates CD23 and MHC class II expression and promotes IgE isotype switching of B cells . Additionally, IL-13 down-regulates macrophage activity, thereby inhibiting the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines . This cytokine is critical in the pathogenesis of allergen-induced asthma and other allergic conditions .

IL-13 exerts its effects through a multi-subunit receptor complex that includes the alpha chain of the IL-4 receptor (IL-4Rα) and at least one of two known IL-13-specific binding chains, IL-13Rα1 and IL-13Rα2 . Upon binding to its receptor, IL-13 activates the JAK-STAT signaling pathway, leading to the transcription of target genes involved in immune regulation and inflammation .

Recombinant IL-13 (Human, His Tag) is used in various research applications, including studies on immune regulation, allergic inflammation, and fibrosis . It is also employed in cell proliferation assays and other functional studies to understand the biological roles of IL-13 .

The lyophilized form of recombinant IL-13 is stable for up to 12 months when stored at -20°C to -80°C. After reconstitution, the protein solution can be stored at 4-8°C for 2-7 days or at -20°C for up to 3 months . It is essential to avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles to maintain protein integrity.