Interleukin-17F (IL-17F) is a cytokine that belongs to the IL-17 family, which consists of six members: IL-17A, IL-17B, IL-17C, IL-17D, IL-17E (also known as IL-25), and IL-17F . IL-17F shares the greatest homology with IL-17A and is produced by several cell types, including activated CD4+ T cells, monocytes, basophils, and mast cells .
IL-17F is a protein that is encoded by the IL17F gene. The recombinant form of IL-17F, specifically from rats, is often produced using baculovirus-insect cell expression systems . The protein sequence of rat IL-17F consists of 153 amino acids, with a calculated molecular weight of approximately 16.4 kDa .
IL-17F plays a crucial role in inducing and mediating pro-inflammatory responses. It stimulates the production of other cytokines, such as IL-6 and IL-8, and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor . Additionally, IL-17F has been shown to inhibit angiogenesis in endothelial cells and induce these cells to produce IL-2, TGF-β, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 .
The IL-17 family, including IL-17F, is involved in various physiological and pathological processes. IL-17F is associated with allergic responses and has been implicated in the exacerbation of antigen-induced pulmonary allergic inflammation . Moreover, IL-17F plays a role in the induction of neutrophilia in the lungs .
Recombinant IL-17F is used extensively in research to study its biological functions and its role in various diseases. It is particularly valuable in understanding the mechanisms underlying inflammatory responses and developing potential therapeutic strategies for autoimmune and inflammatory diseases .