Bcakground

Interleukin-27 (IL-27) is a heterodimeric group 2 receptor ligand molecule that belongs to the IL-6/IL-12 family of long type I cytokines (1). It is composed of EBI3 (EBV-induced gene 3), a 34 kDa glycoprotein that is related to the p40 subunit of IL-12 and IL-23, and p28, the 28 kDa glycoprotein that is related to the p35 chain of IL-12 (2-4). The human EBI3 gene encodes a 229 amino acid (aa) precursor that contains a 20 aa signal peptide and 209 aa mature protein (5). The mature region contains two potential N-linked glycosylation sites, two fibronectin type III domains, and two pairs of conserved cysteine residues with a WSXWS-like motif that places the molecule in the hematopoietin receptor family (5). Although p40, the EBI3 counterpart in IL-12, is known to form homodimers, there is no evidence to date that EBI3 also homodimerizes. Human EBI3 is 61% aa identical to mouse EBI3. The human p28 gene encodes a 243 aa precursor that contains a 28 aa signal sequence and 215 aa mature region (6). The mature region is characterized by the presence of four alpha -helices, placing it in the IL-6 family of helical cytokines. Human p28 is 74% aa identical to mouse p28. IL-27 is expressed by monocytes, endothelial cells and dendritic cells (7). IL-27 binds to and signals through a heterodimeric receptor complex composed of WSX-1 (TCCR) and gp130. Evidence suggests IL-27 interacts only with WSX-1 (6, 8, 9). IL-27 has both anti- and proinflammatory properties. As an anti-inflammatory, IL-27 seems to induce a general negative feedback program that limits T and NK-T cell activity (3, 7). At the onset of infection, IL-27 induces an IL-12 receptor on na ve CD4+ T cells, making them susceptible to subsequent IL-12 activity (and possible Th1 development) (10).

Reference

1. Boulay, J-L. et al. (2003) Immunity 19:159.

2. Trinchieri, G. et al. (2003) Immunity 19:641.

3. Murakami, M. et al. (2004) Growth Factors 22:75.

4. Cordoba-Rodriguez, R. and D.M. Frucht (2003) Exp. Opin. Biol. Ther. 3:715.

5. Devergne, O. et al. (1996) J. Virology 70:1143.

6. Pflanz, S. et al. (2002) Immunity 16:779.

7. Villarino, A.V. et al. (2004) J. Immunol. 173:715.

8. Pflanz, S. et al. (2004) J Immunol 172:2225.

9. Scheller, J. et al. (2005) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 326:724.

10. Holscher, C. (2004) Med. Microbiol. Immunol. (Berl).193:1.

Specifications

Synonyms	Human IL27; IL-27; IL27; IL-27 subunit alpha; IL27A; IL-27-A; IL27-A; IL27p28; interleukin 27
Accession #	Q14213.2 (IL-27EBI3) & AAM34498 (IL-27p28)
Source	Human embryonic kidney cell, HEK293-derived human IL-27 protein
Source	IL-27 EBI-3(Arg21-Lys229) ,IL-27 p28(Phe29-Pro243)
Predicted Moleucular weight	56.0 kDa

Components and Storage

Formulation	Solution protein.
	Dissolved in sterile PBS buffer .
	This solution can be diluted into other aqueous buffers. Centrifuge the vial prior to opening.
Storage and Stability	Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles.
	It is recommended that the protein be aliquoted for optimal storage.
	12 months from date of receipt, -20 to -70 °C as supplied.
Shipping	Shipping with dry ice

Quality

Purity	> 95%, determined by SDS-PAGE.
Endotoxin Level	<0.010 EU per 1 ug of the protein by the LAL method.
Activity	Measured in an anti-viral assay using HepG2 human hepatocellular carcinoma cells infected with encephalomyocarditis (EMC) virus.
Activity	The EC50 for this effect is 1-6 ng/mL.

SDS-PAGE

Gel filtration

Bioactivity

Documents

Human IL27