Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) is a crucial cytokine involved in the inflammatory response. It is produced by activated macrophages and plays a significant role in various cellular activities, including cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. The recombinant form of IL-1β from mice, tagged with a histidine (His) tag, is widely used in research to study its functions and applications.
The recombinant IL-1β is produced in Escherichia coli (E. coli) as a non-glycosylated polypeptide chain. It consists of 189 amino acids and has a molecular mass of approximately 21 kDa . The His tag, which is a sequence of histidine residues, is fused to the N-terminus of the protein. This tag facilitates the purification process using affinity chromatography techniques, ensuring a high purity level of over 90% as determined by SDS-PAGE .
The recombinant IL-1β is a colorless solution that is sterile-filtered. It is formulated in a buffer containing 20 mM Tris (pH 8) and 10% glycerol . For short-term storage, it is recommended to keep the solution at 4°C, while for long-term storage, it should be frozen at -20°C with the addition of a carrier protein such as human serum albumin (HSA) or bovine serum albumin (BSA) to prevent multiple freeze-thaw cycles .
IL-1β is a potent mediator of the inflammatory response. It stimulates thymocyte proliferation by inducing the release of interleukin-2 (IL-2), promotes B-cell maturation and proliferation, and enhances fibroblast growth factor activity . Additionally, IL-1β is known to stimulate the release of prostaglandin and collagenase from synovial cells, contributing to its role as an endogenous pyrogen .
In the context of angiogenesis, IL-1β interacts directly with vascular endothelial cells, increasing the production of proangiogenic factors through paracrine control. It stimulates endothelial cell migration and proliferation, adhesion molecule expression, inflammatory mediator production, and leukocyte recruitment . These properties make IL-1β essential for tumor growth, metastasis, and angiogenesis in various animal models .
The recombinant IL-1β (Mouse, His Tag) is extensively used in laboratory research to study its biological functions and potential therapeutic applications. It is particularly valuable in investigating the mechanisms of inflammation, immune response, and cancer progression. Researchers utilize this recombinant protein to explore new therapeutic targets and develop treatments for inflammatory diseases and cancer .