Interleukin-36 alpha (IL-36α), also known as IL-1F6, is a member of the interleukin-1 (IL-1) family of cytokines. This family includes several other members such as IL-1β, IL-1α, IL-18, IL-36β, IL-36γ, and IL-36Ra. IL-36α plays a crucial role in the regulation of immune responses and inflammation.
IL-36α is a protein consisting of 158 amino acids with a molecular weight of approximately 17.2 kDa . It is primarily expressed in epithelial tissues, including the skin, and in various immune cells such as T cells, monocytes, and B cells . The expression of IL-36α is significantly elevated in psoriatic plaques, indicating its involvement in inflammatory skin diseases .
IL-36α functions by binding to its specific receptor, IL-36R (IL-1Rrp2), which is primarily expressed on certain dendritic cells . Upon binding to IL-36R, the receptor complex recruits the IL-1 receptor accessory protein (IL-1RAcP), forming a ternary complex . This complex activates intracellular signaling pathways, including NF-κB and MAPK, leading to the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines such as IL-6, IL-8, BD-2, and BD-3 .
IL-36α is involved in various biological processes, including:
Recombinant human IL-36α is produced using an E. coli expression system . The recombinant protein is purified to a high degree of purity (≥ 98%) and is used in various research applications to study its biological functions and potential therapeutic uses . It is available in lyophilized form and can be reconstituted for experimental use .