IL-19 was first identified in the early 2000s as a novel cytokine with structural similarities to IL-10 . It is produced by various cell types, including monocytes, and has been shown to play a role in the regulation of immune responses. The recombinant form of IL-19, specifically from mice, is often used in research to study its functions and potential therapeutic applications .
IL-19 signals through the IL-20 receptor complex, which is composed of IL-20R1 and IL-20R2 subunits . This signaling pathway is shared with other cytokines in the IL-10 family, such as IL-20 and IL-24. The primary function of IL-19 is to modulate immune responses, particularly in the context of inflammation and infection.
Studies have shown that IL-19 can enhance chronic inflammatory diseases such as asthma . It is produced by and regulates cells of the monocyte lineage, including alveolar macrophages and lung dendritic cells . In vivo studies using IL-19-deficient mice have demonstrated that the absence of IL-19 leads to decreased expression of Major Histocompatibility Complex class II (MHCII) and dysregulation of Notch2 expression in lung monocytes .
Recombinant mouse IL-19 is produced using E. coli expression systems and is purified to high levels of purity for research purposes . The recombinant protein is often used in cell proliferation assays and other functional studies to understand its role in immune regulation. It is typically lyophilized and reconstituted in sterile phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) for use in experiments .
IL-19 has been a subject of interest in various research areas, including chronic inflammatory diseases, immune regulation, and potential therapeutic applications. The use of recombinant IL-19 allows researchers to study its effects in controlled settings and to explore its potential as a therapeutic target for conditions such as asthma and other inflammatory diseases .