IFN-gamma (D3H2) XP ® Rabbit mAb

IFN-γ plays key roles in both the innate and adaptive immune response. IFN-γ activates the cytotoxic activity of innate immune cells, such as macrophages and NK cells (1,2). IFN-γ production by NK cells and antigen presenting cells (APCs) promotes cell-mediated adaptive immunity by inducing IFN-γ production by T lymphocytes, increasing class I and class II MHC expression, and enhancing peptide antigen presentation (1). Due to differences in the degree of glycosylation, there are three forms of IFN-γ, with approximate molecular weights of 25, 20, and 15.5 kDa by SDS-PAGE (5). The anti-viral activity of IFN-γ is due to its induction of PKR and other regulatory proteins. Binding of IFN-γ to the IFNGR1/IFNGR2 complex promotes dimerization of the receptor complexes to form the (IFNGR1/IFNGR2)2 -IFN-γ dimer. Binding induces a conformational change in receptor intracellular domains and signaling involves Jak1, Jak2, and Stat1 (3). The critical role of IFN-γ in amplification of immune surveillance and function is supported by increased susceptibility to pathogen infection by IFN-γ or IFNGR knockout mice and in humans with inactivating mutations in IFNGR1 or IFNGR2. IFN-γ also appears to have a role in atherosclerosis (4). 1.Schroder, K. et al. (2004) J Leukoc Biol 75, 163-89. 2.Martinez, F.O. et al. (2009) Annu Rev Immunol 27, 451-83. 3.Kotenko, S.V. et al. (1995) J Biol Chem 270, 20915-21. 4.McLaren, J.E. and Ramji, D.P. (2009) Cytokine Growth Factor Rev 20, 125-35. 5.Kelker, H.C. et al. (1984) J Biol Chem 259, 4301-4.