MycoFold rHu Interleukin 6 (IL-6)

MycoFold™ Recombinant Human Interleukin 6 (rHu IL-6) is a small signaling protein that plays a central role in immune regulation, inflammation, tissue regeneration, and metabolism. It also supports the proliferation and differentiation of hematopoietic stem cells, contributing to the production of various blood cell types.  

This protein is a potent inducer of the acute phase response.  Rapid IL-6 production contributes to host defense during infection and tissue injury, but excessive IL-6 synthesis is involved in disease pathology.  In the innate immune response, IL-6 is synthesized by myeloid cells, such as macrophages and dendritic cells, upon recognition of pathogens through toll-like receptors (TLRs) at the site of infection or tissue injury.  

In the adaptive immune response, IL-6 is required for B cell differentiation into immunoglobulin-secreting cells.  It is an essential factor in the development of T follicular helper (Tfh) cells, which are required for germinal-center formation and for driving naïve CD4+ T cells into the Th17 lineage.  

This protein signals through IL-6Rα/CD126, which then recruits the signal-transducing subunit gp130 (CD130).  Primarily signals via the JAK-STAT, MAPK/ERK, and PI3K-AKT pathways activated by gp130.  Signaling is negatively regulated by SOCS3 and SHP2 that can dephosphorylate signaling components.

Protein is a 20.9 kDA single-chain monomer, N and O-linked glycosylated cytokine secreted from P. pastoris yeast.  Chaperone-guided folding and engineered secretion pathways generate native tertiary 3D structures, resulting in optimized specific activity and thermal stability.  

Lyophilized protein is tested for specific activity, purity, endotoxin, host cell protein/DNA, and mycoplasma, and priced for industry-leading bioactivity value (IUs/mg/$).

Key Research Applications

• Neuroinflammation research related to Alzheimer’s, depression, and multiple sclerosis
• Blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity testing
• Cancer cell survival, proliferation, and apoptosis resistance via STAT3 with particular relevance in multiple myeloma, hepatocellular carcinoma, colorectal cancer, and prostate cancer.
• Cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and severe inflammatory state research
• Chronic inflammation research with particular relevance to rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus, inflammatory bowel disease (IBS), and psoriasis
• Senescence-associated conditions linked to age-related disease and tissue dysfunction