Human IL-1alpha Recombinant Protein

Interleukin 1 alpha (IL-1α) belongs to the IL-1 family of cytokines with 11 members including IL-1β. IL-1α is expressed in many cell types of both hematopoietic and non-hematopoietic origins under steady state, and its expression can be increased in response to appropriate stimuli (1,2). Like IL-1β, IL-1α is also synthesized as a precursor (pro-IL-1α) and can be cleaved into smaller mature forms. However, both pro-IL-1α and the cleaved form of IL-1α are biologically active and can activate the signaling pathway through the membrane receptor IL-1R1. IL-1α is active both as a secreted form and as a membrane-bound form. Due to such characteristics, passive leakage of IL-1α from dying cells can activate inflammation, leading some researchers to consider IL-1α as a key “alarmin in the cell” that alerts the host to damage or injury (3,4). In addition, IL-1α can also enter the nucleus to modulate transcription (5,6). 1.Garlanda, C. et al. (2013) Immunity 39, 1003-18. 2.Palomo, J. et al. (2015) Cytokine 76, 25-37. 3.Bertheloot, D. and Latz, E. (2017) Cell Mol Immunol 14, 43-64. 4.Di Paolo, N.C. and Shayakhmetov, D.M. (2016) Nat Immunol 17, 906-13. 5.Lamacchia, C. et al. (2013) Cytokine 63, 135-44. 6.Rider, P. et al. (2013) Semin Immunol 25, 430-8.