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    Recombinant human IL-15 protein

    QK097

    Brand: Qkine

    Interleukin-15 (IL-15) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine which regulates immune responses. Recombinant IL-15 promotes the growth and activation of T-cells and B cells and is essential in the development, survival and activation of NK cells. IL-15 can also promote conversion of monocytes into dendritic cells.

    Qkine has optimized the IL-15 manufacture process to produce a highly bioactive protein with excellent lot-to-lot consistency for enhanced experimental reproducibility. Qkine IL-15 is a highly pure 12.9 kDa monomer, animal origin-free (AOF) and carrier-protein-free (CF).

    Currency: 

    Product name Catalog number Pack size Price Price (USD) Price (GBP) Price (EUR)
    Recombinant human IL-15 protein, 25 µg QK097-0025 25 µg (select above) $ 355.00 £ 255.00 € 298.00
    Recombinant human IL-15 protein, 50 µg QK097-0050 50 µg (select above) $ 515.00 £ 380.00 € 444.00
    Recombinant human IL-15 protein,100 µg QK097-0100 100 µg (select above) $ 760.00 £ 560.00 € 655.00
    Recombinant human IL-15 protein, 500 µg QK097-0500 500 µg (select above) $ 3,100.00 £ 2,300.00 € 2,687.00
    Recombinant human IL-15 protein, 1000 µg QK097-1000 1000 µg (select above) $ 4,950.00 £ 3,600.00 € 4,205.00

    Note: prices shown do not include shipping and handling charges.

    Qkine company name and logo are the property of Qkine Ltd. UK.

    Alternative protein names
    Interleukin 15, MGC9721, IL15, IL 15
    Species reactivity
    • human
    • species similarity:
    • mouse - 73%
    • rat - 72%
    • bovine - 78%
    • porcine - 81%

    Frequently used together:

    Summary

    • High purity human IL-15 protein (Uniprot number: P40933)
    • 12.9 kDa (monomer)
    • >98%, by SDS-PAGE quantitative densitometry
    • Expressed in E. coli
    • Animal origin-free (AOF) and carrier protein-free
    • Manufactured in our Cambridge, UK laboratories
    • Lyophilized from acetonitrile, TFA
    • Resuspend in 10 mM HCl (Reconstitution solution A) at >50 µg/ml, add carrier protein if desired, prepare single-use aliquots and store frozen at -20 °C (short-term) or -80 °C (long-term)
    Handling and Storage FAQ

    Featured applications

    • Development, survival, and function of T cells
    • Development and formation of NK cells
    • Development and formation of B cells
    • Differentiation of myeloid cells into dendritic cells
    • Hematopoietic stem cell research 

    Bioactivity

    Recombinant IL-15 activity was determined using Promega IL-15 Bioassay Kit (JA2011). Cells were treated in triplicate with a serial dilution of IL-15 for 6 hours. Activity was measured using Bio-Glo™ Reagent and readings normalized to the maximum response. Data from Qk097 lot #204728. EC50 = 83.4 pg/ml (6.47 pM).

    Qk097-IL-15-Datasheet-graph-2025

     

    Purity

    Recombinant IL-15 migrates as a band at approximately 12 kDa (monomer) in reduced (R) and 9 kDa in non-reduced (NR) conditions. No contaminating protein bands are present. The purified recombinant protein 3 µg was resolved using 15% w/v SDS-PAGE in reduced (+β-mercaptoethanol, R) and non-reduced (NR) conditions and stained with Coomassie Brilliant Blue R250. Data from Qk097 lot #204728.

    IL15-gel-1024x1024

     

    Further quality assays

    • Mass spectrometry: single species with expected mass
    • Recovery from stock vial:  >95%
    • Endotoxin: <0.005 EU/μg protein (below level of detection)

    Protein background

    Interleukin-15 (IL-15) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine expressed in a large variety of tissues and cell types including epithelial cells, fibroblasts, keratinocytes, nerve cells, monocytes, macrophages, and dendritic cells [1]. IL-15 shares many biological properties with IL-2, despite not having sequence homology, as it interacts with components of the IL-2 receptor (IL-2R) [1, 2]. IL-15 induces the activation of JAK kinases, as well as the phosphorylation and activation of transcription activators STAT3, STAT5, and STAT6 [2].

    Recombinant IL-15 stimulates the proliferation and activation of multiple T cell subsets including NK, NKT, Th17, Treg, and CD8+ memory cells [3]. IL-15 is also essential for NK cell development and can be used for the development of NK cells from hematopoietic progenitor cells [4,5].

    IL-15 has been shown to play a role in several inflammatory disorders, including rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis and pulmonary inflammatory diseases. Emerging data suggest that IL-15 may serve as a good therapeutic target, as there appears to be a beneficial effect of IL-15 neutralization in models of psoriasis and diabetes. IL-15 has also been implicated in both the development and treatment of cancers [1]. Recombinant IL-15 can also be used for the preconditioning of CAR T cells or for engineering cells to express IL-15 in vivo [6].

     

    Background references

    1. Mishra A, Sullivan L, Caligiuri MA. Molecular pathways: interleukin-15 signaling in health and in cancer. Clin Cancer Res. 2014 Apr 15;20(8):2044-50. doi: 10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-12-3603. PMID: 24737791

    2. Carson WE, Giri JG, Lindemann MJ, Linett ML, Ahdieh M, Paxton R, Anderson D, Eisenmann J, Grabstein K, Caligiuri MA. Interleukin (IL) 15 is a novel cytokine that activates human natural killer cells via components of the IL-2 receptor. J Exp Med. 1994 Oct 1;180(4):1395-403. doi: 10.1084/jem.180.4.1395

    3. Lee H, Park SH, Shin EC. IL-15 in T-Cell Responses and Immunopathogenesis. Immune Netw. 2024 Feb 16;24(1):e11. doi: 10.4110/in.2024.24.e11

    4. Cooper MA, Bush JE, Fehniger TA, VanDeusen JB, Waite RE, Liu Y, Aguila HL, Caligiuri MA. In vivo evidence for a dependence on interleukin 15 for survival of natural killer cells. Blood. 2002 Nov 15;100(10):3633-8. doi: 10.1182/blood-2001-12-0293

    5. Mrózek E, Anderson P, Caligiuri MA. Role of interleukin-15 in the development of human CD56+ natural killer cells from CD34+ hematopoietic progenitor cells. Blood. 1996 Apr 1;87(7):2632-40. PMID: 8639878

    6. Srivastava S, Furlan SN, Jaeger-Ruckstuhl CA, Sarvothama M, Berger C, Smythe KS, Garrison SM, Specht JM, Lee SM, Amezquita RA, Voillet V, Muhunthan V, Yechan-Gunja S, Pillai SPS, Rader C, Houghton AM, Pierce RH, Gottardo R, Maloney DG, Riddell SR. Immunogenic Chemotherapy Enhances Recruitment of CAR-T Cells to Lung Tumors and Improves Antitumor Efficacy when Combined with Checkpoint Blockade. Cancer Cell. 2021 Feb 8;39(2):193-208.e10. doi: 10.1016/j.ccell.2020.11.005

    FAQ

    What is IL-15?
    IL-15 is an inflammatory cytokine.

    Where is IL-15 found?
    IL-15 is a soluble protein found in blood and tissues.

    What cells secrete IL-15?
    IL-15 is secreted primarily by dendritic cells, monocytes, and epithelial cells

    What cells respond to IL-15?
    IL-15 binds to and activates CD8+ T cells, NKT cells, γδT cells, and NK cells.

    Is IL-15 a cytokine?
    Yes, Interleukin-15 (IL-15) is a pleiotropic cytokine belonging to the common gamma-chain (γc) cytokine family, which also includes IL-2, IL-4, IL-7, IL-9, and IL-21.

    What does the IL-15 gene do?
    The IL15 gene is localized on chromosome 4q31 and codes for interleukin-15 (IL-15), a widely expressed pro-inflammatory cytokine.

    What is the function of the IL-15 receptor?
    IL-15RA is expressed on the surface of activated and memory CD8+ T cells, it plays an important role in innate and adaptive immunity.

    What cells express the IL-15 receptor?
    The IL-15 receptor consists of the IL-2Rβ and γc subunits in association with a unique ligand-specific subunit, IL-15Rα, IL-15Rα is expressed by lymphoid cells, DC, fibroblasts, epithelial, liver, intestine, and other cells.

    What is the IL-15 signaling pathway?
    IL-15 induces the activation of JAK kinases, as well as the phosphorylation and activation of transcription activators STAT3, STAT5, and STAT6.

    How is recombinant IL-15 used in cell culture?
    IL-15 induces or enhances the differentiation, maintenance, or activation of multiple T cell subsets including NK, NKT, Th17, Treg, and CD8+ memory cells. It can also be used to develop monocytes into dendritic cells.