Interleukin-17 (IL-17) is a family of pro-inflammatory cytokines that play a crucial role in the immune response. Among the IL-17 family, IL-17A and IL-17F are particularly significant due to their involvement in various inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. The IL-17A/F heterodimer is a unique cytokine composed of one IL-17A subunit and one IL-17F subunit, forming a biologically active protein that exhibits properties distinct from the IL-17A and IL-17F homodimers.
The IL-17A/F heterodimer is a disulfide-linked protein produced by an activated subset of CD4+ T cells, known as Th17 cells . In mice, the recombinant IL-17A/F heterodimer is typically expressed in E. coli and purified to achieve high purity levels (>95%) as determined by SDS-PAGE under reducing conditions . The molecular masses of the IL-17A and IL-17F subunits are approximately 14.9 kDa and 15.5 kDa, respectively .
The IL-17A/F heterodimer is known for its ability to induce the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, such as IL-6, from various cell types, including fibroblasts and epithelial cells . This cytokine plays a pivotal role in bridging the innate and adaptive immune responses by promoting the recruitment of neutrophils to sites of inflammation . The bioactivity of the IL-17A/F heterodimer is intermediate between that of the IL-17A and IL-17F homodimers, with IL-17A being the most potent and IL-17F the least potent .
IL-17A/F has been implicated in several inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and inflammatory bowel disease . The cytokine’s ability to drive the production of other pro-inflammatory mediators makes it a critical player in the pathogenesis of these conditions. Elevated levels of IL-17A/F have been observed in the affected tissues of patients with these diseases, highlighting its role in disease severity and progression .
Recombinant mouse IL-17A/F heterodimer is widely used in research to study its biological functions and therapeutic potential. It serves as a valuable tool for investigating the mechanisms underlying Th17 cell differentiation and the cytokine’s role in various disease models . Additionally, the recombinant protein is used in drug development to identify potential therapeutic targets for treating IL-17A/F-mediated diseases .