Cytokines

• Adipokines include inflammatory mediators, angiogenic proteins, and metabolic regulators that are secreted by cells present in the adipose tissue

• Adipokines regulate insulin signaling and may contribute to the development of metabolic disorders

• There are four chemokine subfamilies: C, CC, CXC, and CX3C chemokines

• Chemokines bind to conventional G protein-coupled seven transmembrane receptors, with some promiscuity

• Chemokines direct cell migration during development, homeostatic conditions, and inflammation

• Common beta-chain family members include GM-CSF, IL-3, and IL-5

• These cytokines signal through heterodimeric receptor complexes that contain the common beta-chain subunit

• Common beta-chain family cytokines regulate proliferation, differentiation, and functions of hematopoietic cell types  

• Members of the common gamma-chain cytokine family include IL-2, IL-4, IL-7, IL-9, IL-15, and IL-21

• All common gamma-chain family cytokines signal through receptors that contain the common gamma-chain subunit

• Common gamma-chain family cytokines regulate the development, survival, proliferation, differentiation, and functions of multiple immune cell types

• Members of the IL-1 cytokine family include IL-1 alpha, IL-1 beta, IL-1ra, IL-18, IL-33, IL-36 alpha, IL-36 beta, IL-36 gamma, IL-36Ra, IL-37, and IL-38

• All family members share a conserved beta-trefoil structure and bind to a primary IL-1 family receptor subunit, which subsequently recruits an accessory receptor 

• IL-1 family cytokines play a key role in regulating inflammation

• Members of the IL-6 cytokine family include IL-6, IL-11, IL-27 p28/IL-30, IL-31, LIF, OSM, CLC, CNTF, CT-1, and Neuropoietin

• Most IL-6 family cytokines signal through a receptor complex that contains the gp130 signaling receptor subunit

• IL-6 family cytokines have distinct and overlapping functions, which include the induction of hepatic acute phase proteins, B cell stimulation, and metabolic and neurotrophic functions

• Members of the IL-10 cytokine family include IL-10, IL-19, IL-20, IL-22, IL-24, and IL-26

• These cytokines have structural similarities and signal through heterodimeric receptor complexes with common subunits

• IL-10 has anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects, while other IL-10 family cytokines are primarily involved in regulating the activities of epithelial cells to maintain tissue homeostasis

• The IL-12 family of heterodimeric cytokines includes IL-12, IL-23, IL-27, IL-35, and IL-39

• Each member of the IL-12 family consists of an alpha chain and a beta chain subunit, which are shared among different family members

• IL-12 family cytokines differentially regulate the activities of specific T cell subsets, and have pro- or anti-inflammatory effects

• Members of the IL-17 cytokine family include IL-17A, IL-17B, IL-17C, IL-17D, IL-17E/IL-25, and IL-17F

• These cytokines have a highly conserved C-terminus containing a cysteine-knot fold structure and are secreted as dimers

• IL-17 family cytokines bind to members of the IL-17 receptor family and primarily promote pro-inflammatory immune responses

• Type I interferons include IFN-alpha, IFN-beta, IFN-omega, IFN-kappa, and Limitin/IFN-zeta

• IFN-gamma is the only member of the Type II interferon group

• Type III interferons include IL-28/IFN-lambda 1, IL-28A/IFN-lambda 2, IL-28B/IFN-lambda 3, and IFN-lambda 4

• Members of all of the interferon families have anti-viral, anti-proliferative, and immunoregulatory effects

• M-CSF, SCF, Flt-3 Ligand are short-chain, four-helix bundle cytokines with 4 conserved cysteines in their extracellular domains

• All three of these cytokines bind to class III receptor tyrosine kinases, leading to receptor dimerization, autophosphorylation, and activation

• M-CSF, SCF, and Flt-3 Ligand regulate the proliferation and differentiation of multiple hematopoietic cell lineages

• There are 19 TNF superfamily ligands and 29 receptors 

• TNF superfamily ligands are homotrimers that bind to oligomeric type I or type II transmembrane receptors 

• TNF superfamily members regulate apoptosis, cell type-specific responses, and multiple immune cell functions, including T cell co-stimulation, natural killer cell activation, and B cell activation

Ensure a seamless transition from preclinical research into clinical manufacturing by starting your preclinical experiments with our Animal-Free RUO proteins. R&D Systems Animal-Free RUO proteins are produced in dedicated animal-free laboratories and are manufactured using the same systems as our Animal-Free GMP-Grade proteins.

We produce our own GMP cytokines and growth factors for use as ancillary reagents in ex vivo cell manufacturing processes. GMP-grade proteins come with extensive documentation to provide cell therapy researchers with a consistent, transparent, fully traceable source of reagents. Request a GMP Protein Sample.

If your experiments require large quantities of a particular protein, contact us for a bulk quote. We have the capacity and the expertise to scale up the production of any protein to meet your needs, and we offer economical pricing on bulk orders.

Cytokines activate a diverse array of intracellular signaling pathways that can induce processes such as cell proliferation, differentiation, migration, and cell death. Explore the signaling pathways that are activated by different cytokine families, the primary target cells that they affect, and the biological effects that they mediate using our interactive signaling pathways.

Chemokines and their receptors control cell migration during both homeostasis and inflammation and are associated with a diverse array of pathological conditions. Learn more about chemokine ligand-receptor interactions, chemokine signaling pathways, and chemokine receptors implicated in the pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases with our Chemokine Superfamily poster.

Download this guide to learn about the different applications for cytokines in cell biology research. From cell culture and lineage differentiation to antibody and immunoassay development, this guide highlights how recombinant proteins are being utilized in diverse research areas.

Browse our complete collection of products for cell culture. We offer a comprehensive range of reagents to promote robust cell growth, including media and supplements, FBS, basement membrane extracts, and custom cell culture services.

From our complete, ready-to-use Quantikine™ ELISA Kits to our multiplex Luminex^® Assays and fully automated Simple Plex™ Assays, you can count on our immunoassays to deliver accurate, reproducible, high-quality data for every experimental sample that you test.

For more specialized requests, contact our custom protein services team. Whether you are looking for a different formulation, incorporation of a non-standard label, or a specific mutated version of a protein, we have the capabilities and the team to develop the protein that you need.