IL-2 Superkine (Fc), IL-2:Fc, Recombinant, Human (IL-2 Superkine (human):Fc (human) (rec.), Interleukin-2, T Cell Growth Factor, TCGF, Aldesleukin, Super-2)

Interleukin-2 (IL-2) is a 133 amino acid glycoprotein with one intramolecular disulfide bond and variable glycosylation. It is secreted by activated T cells and induces proliferation and maturation of activated T cells, natural killer cells and lymphokine activated killer cells. IL-2 also stimulates proliferation of antibody-producing B cells, activates neutrophils and induces mononuclear cells to secrete IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha and -beta. Moreover, studies have shown that IL-2 is required for activation-induced apoptosis, an important homeostatic mechanism in the immune system, which is involved in the maintenance of peripheral tolerance to self-antigens. IL-2 promotes T cell proliferation and particularly naive T cells. IL-2 signaling on activated T cells is effected through a quaternary high-affinity receptor complex consisting of IL-2, IL-2Ralpha (CD25), IL-2Rbeta and IL-2Rgamma. Naive T cells are relatively insensitive to IL-2 as they only express small amounts of IL-2Rbeta and IL-2Rgamma. They only acquire sensitivity after CD25 expression, which captures the cytokine and presents it to the IL-2Rbeta and IL-2Rgamma receptors. IL-2 Superkine (Fc) is an artificial variant of IL-2 containing mutations at positions L80F / R81D / L85V / I 86V / I92F. These mutations are located in the molecule's core that acts to stabilize the structure and to give it a receptor-binding conformation mimicking native IL-2 bound to CD25. These mutations effectively eliminate the functional requirement of IL-2 for CD25 expression and elicit proliferation of T cells. Compared to IL-2, the IL-2 superkine induces superior expansion of cytotoxic T cells, leading to improved antitumour responses in vivo, and elicits proportionally less toxicity by lowering the expansion of Tregulatory cells and reducing pulmonary oedema. Sequence: The extracellular domain of human IL-2 (aa 21-153) (mutant H9 containing the mutations L80F / R81D / L85V / I 86V / I92F) is fused at the C-terminus to the Fc portion of human IgG2. Storage and Stability: Short-term Storage: +4 degrees C Long-term Storage: -20 degrees C Stable for at least 1 year after receipt when stored at -20 degrees C. Working aliquots are stable for up to 3 months when stored at -20 degrees C.