Interleukin 4 (IL-4, B Cell Stimulatory Factor 1, BSF1, Binetrakin, HCGF, Hodgkin's Cell Growth Factor, IA Inducing Factor, Lymphocyte Stimulatory Factor 1, Macrophage Fusion Factor, Mast Cell Growth Factor 2, MCGF2, MFF, MGC79402, Pitrakinra, T Cell Grow

Interleukin-4 (IL-4) is a pleiotropic cytokine that regulates diverse T and B cell responses including cell proliferation, survival and gene expression. Produced by mast cells, T cells and bone marrow stromal cells, IL-4 regulates the differentiation of naive CD4+ T cells into helper Th2 cells, characterized by their cytokine-secretion profile that includes secretion of IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-10, and IL-13, which favor a humoral immune response. Another dominant function of IL-4 is the regulation of immunoglobulin class switching to the IgG1 and IgE isotypes. Excessive IL-4 production by Th2 cells has been associated with elevated IgE production and allergy. Applications: Suitable for use in ELISA, Western Blot, Immunofluorescence, Flow Cytometry and Neutralization. Other applications not tested. Recommended Dilution: ELISA: Useful as a detection antibody in a sandwich ELISA for quantifying human IL-4 protein levels. Biotinylated antibody should be paired with a suitable purified antibody as the capture antibody, with purified recombinant human IL-4 as the standard. Western Blot: 1-5ug/ml (in conjunction with AP-labeled Goat Anti-Rat-Ig) has been found to enable detection of (same/less than)100ng/lane of recombinant human IL-4 under reducing conditions. Immunofluorescence/Flow Cytometry: Useful for intracytoplasmic staining and flow cytometric analysis to identify and enumerate IL-4-positive cells within mixed cell populations. Recombinant human IL-4, unlabeled antibody, or Biotinylated Rat IgG1 should be used as a specificity control. Neutralization: Can be used for neutralizing human IL-4 bioactivity. A suitable LE/AF Rat IgG1 should be used as an isotype control. Optimal dilutions to be determined by the researcher. Storage and Stability: May be stored at 4 degrees C for short-term only. Aliquot to avoid repeated freezing and thawing. Store at -20 degrees C. Aliquots are stable for at least 12 months. For maximum recovery of product, centrifuge the original vial after thawing and prior to removing the cap.