Not available outside of the UK & Ireland.

Analysis Note

Measured in a cell proliferation assay using MO7e human megakaryocytic leukemic cells. The specific activity of Recombinant Human IL-15 is approximately 4.5 x 105 U/µg, which is calibrated against recombinant human IL-15 WHO International Standard (NIBSC code: 95/554).

Biochem/physiol Actions

Interleukin-15 was first isolated from the supernatant of a cultured simian kidney epithelial cell line. The cDNA encodes a 162 amino acid precursor protein with a 48 amino acid signal peptide that is cleaved to yield a 114 amino acid mature protein. Human IL-15 shares sequence identity with simian (~97%) and murine (~73%). IL-15 competes for binding sites with IL-2, as both IL-2 and IL-15 stimulate the growth of cells through the IL-2 receptor.

IL-15 (interleukin 15) is a proinflammatory pleiotropic cytokine and is a connection between innate and adaptive immune responses. It participates in the proliferation, survival and activation of various lymphocytes lineages. IL-15 works by associating with a high affinity heterotrimeric receptor complex containing IL-15Rα, IL-2/15Rβ and IL-Rγ. It is present in different forms, the soluble form, the hyper IL-15 formed by association between IL-15 receptor α chain and soluble cytokine, and the membrane bound isoform.

Physical form

Lyophilized from 0.2 µm filtered solution in phosphate buffered saline, pH 7.4 with 50 µg bovine serum albumin per 1 µg as a carrier protein.