Interleukin-4, human recombinant (rHuIL-4) (His)

Interleukin-4 (IL-4) is a cytokine produced by type 2 helper T cells, the Th2 cells. These cells tends to make a specific set of lymphokines including IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-10, IL-13, IL-3 and GM-CSF and fail to produce IL-2, IFN-gamma, and lymphotoxin (TNF-beta). In addition, mast cells can produce IL-4. IL-4 exerts numerous effects on various hematopoietic cell types. On B cells, IL-4 promotes immunoglobulin class switching to IgE and IgG1 isotypes and upregulates MHC class II and CD23 expression. IL-4 promotes survival, growth, and differentiation of both T and B lymphocytes, mast cells and endothelial cells. In addition, IL-4 inhibits the production of TNF, IL-1, and IL-6 by macrophages.