Animal Free Proteins
Animal-free proteins are particularly important for researchers concerned with experimental variables caused by trace animal components or mammalian pathogens. Our products generated under animal-free conditions share the same biological activities as those produced using our standard laboratory techniques.

Learn more about Animal-Free Recombinant Proteins

Product Specifications

Source

E. coli-derived human IL-6 protein
Pro29-Met212
Produced using non-animal reagents in an animal-free laboratory.

Purity

>97%, by SDS-PAGE under reducing conditions and visualized by silver stain.

Endotoxin Level

<0.10 EU per 1 μg of the protein by the LAL method.

N-terminal Sequence Analysis

Pro29

Predicted Molecular Mass

20.9 kDa

Activity

Measured in a cell proliferation assay using T1165.85.2.1 mouse plasmacytoma cells. Nordan, R.P. et al. (1987) J. Immunol. 139:813.
The ED₅₀ for this effect is 0.200‑0.800 ng/mL.
The specific activity of Recombinant Human IL-6 is >1.00 x 10⁸ IU/mg, which is calibrated against the human IL‑6 WHO International Standard (NIBSC code: 21/308).

Scientific Data Images for Recombinant Human IL-6, Animal-Free Protein

Equivalent Bioactivity of GMP, Animal-Free, and RUO grades of Recombinant Human IL-6

Equivalent bioactivity of GMP (206-GMP), Animal-Free (Catalog # AFL206), and RUO (206-IL/CF) grades of Recombinant Human IL-6 as measured in cell proliferation assay (orange, green, red, respectively).

Formulation, Preparation, and Storage

AFL206

Formulation	Lyophilized from a 0.2 μm filtered solution in PBS and NaCl.
Reconstitution	Reconstitute at 0.2 mg/mL in sterile PBS.
Shipping	The product is shipped at ambient temperature. Upon receipt, store it immediately at the temperature recommended below.
Stability & Storage	Use a manual defrost freezer and avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles. 12 months from date of receipt, -20 to -70 °C as supplied. 1 month, 2 to 8 °C under sterile conditions after reconstitution. 3 months, -20 to -70 °C under sterile conditions after reconstitution.

Calculators

The reconstitution calculator allows you to quickly calculate the volume of a reagent to reconstitute your vial. Simply enter the mass of reagent and the target concentration and the calculator will determine the rest.

Volume (to add to vial)

Mass (in vial)

Desired Reconstitution Concentration

Background: IL-6

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a pleiotropic, alpha -helical, 22-28 kDa phosphorylated and variably glycosylated cytokine that plays important roles in the acute phase reaction, inflammation, hematopoiesis, bone metabolism, and cancer progression (1-5). Mature human IL-6 is 183 amino acids (aa) in length and shares 39% aa sequence identity with mouse and rat IL-6 (6). Alternative splicing generates several isoforms with internal deletions, some of which exhibit antagonistic properties (7-10). IL-6 induces signaling through a cell surface heterodimeric receptor complex composed of a ligand binding subunit (IL-6 R alpha) and a signal transducing subunit (gp130). IL-6 binds to IL-6 R alpha, triggering IL-6 R alpha association with gp130 and gp130 dimerization (11). gp130 is also a component of the receptors for CLC, CNTF, CT-1, IL-11, IL-27, LIF, and OSM (12). Soluble forms of IL-6 R alpha are generated by both alternative splicing and proteolytic cleavage (5). In a mechanism known as trans-signaling, complexes of soluble IL-6 and IL-6 R alpha elicit responses from gp130-expressing cells that lack cell surface IL-6 R alpha (5). Trans-signaling enables a wider range of cell types to respond to IL-6, as the expression of gp130 is ubiquitous, while that of IL-6 R alpha is predominantly restricted to hepatocytes, monocytes, and resting lymphocytes (2, 5). Soluble splice forms of gp130 block trans-signaling from IL-6/IL-6 R alpha but not from other cytokines that use gp130 as a co-receptor (5, 13). IL-6, along with TNF-alpha and IL-1, drives the acute inflammatory response and the transition from acute inflammation to either acquired immunity or chronic inflammatory disease (1-5). When dysregulated, it contributes to chronic inflammation in obesity, insulin resistance, inflammatory bowel disease, arthritis, sepsis, and atherosclerosis (1, 2, 5). IL-6 can also function as an anti-inflammatory molecule, as in skeletal muscle where it is secreted in response to exercise (2). In addition, it enhances hematopoietic stem cell proliferation and the differentiation of Th17 cells, memory B cells, and plasma cells (1, 14).

References

Mansell, A. and B.J. Jenkins (2013) Cytokine Growth Factor Rev. 24:249.
Schuett, H. et al. (2009) Thromb. Haemost. 102:215.
Erta, M. et al. (2012) Int. J. Biol. Sci. 8:1254.
Garbers, C. et al. (2012) Cytokine Growth Factor Rev. 23:85.
Mihara, M. et al. (2012) Clin. Sci. (Lond.) 122:143.
Hirano, T. et al. (1986) Nature 324:73.
Kestler, D.P. et al. (1995) Blood 86:4559.
Kestler, D.P. et al. (1999) Am. J. Hematol. 61:169.
Bihl, M.P. et al. (2002) Am. J. Respir. Cell Mol. Biol. 27:48.
Alberti, L. et al. (2005) Cancer Res. 65:2.
Murakami, M. et al. (1993) Science 260:1808.
Muller-Newen, G. (2003) Sci. STKE 2003:PE40.
Mitsuyama, K. et al. (2006) Clin. Exp. Immunol. 143:125.
Cerutti, A. et al. (1998) J. Immunol. 160:2145.

Long Name

Interleukin 6

Alternate Names

BSF-2, BSF2, IFNB2, IL6, MGI-2A

Entrez Gene IDs

3569 (Human); 16193 (Mouse); 24498 (Rat); 399500 (Porcine); 280826 (Bovine); 403985 (Canine); 102138971 (Cynomolgus Monkey); 100034196 (Equine); 493687 (Feline); 463288 (Primate); 100008733 (Rabbit)

Gene Symbol

IL6

UniProt

P05231.1

Additional IL-6 Products

Product Documents for Recombinant Human IL-6, Animal-Free Protein

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Certificate of Analysis

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Note: Certificate of Analysis not available for kit components.

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Manufacturing Specifications

Animal-Free Manufacturing Conditions
Our dedicated controlled-access animal-free laboratories ensure that at no point in production are the products exposed to potential contamination by animal components or byproducts. Every stage of manufacturing is conducted in compliance with R&D Systems' stringent Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). Production and purification procedures use equipment and media that are confirmed animal-free.

Production

All molecular biology procedures use animal-free media and dedicated labware.
Dedicated fermentors are utilized in committed animal-free areas.

Purification

Protein purification columns are animal-free.
Bulk proteins are filtered using animal-free filters.
Purified proteins are stored in animal-free containers in a dedicated cold storage room.

Quality Assurance

Low Endotoxin Level.
No impairment of biological activity.
High quality product obtained under stringent conditions.
For ex vivo research or bioproduction, additional documentation can be provided.

Please read our complete Animal-Free Statement