Interleukin-16 Monoclonal Antibody

IL-16 is a cytokine that has roles as a T cell chemoattractant and modulator of T cell activation.{60944,60945} It is synthesized as a 631-amino acid precursor protein, precursor IL-16, that is cleaved by caspase-3 at serine 511 (Ser511), which produces the N-terminal peptide, pro-IL-16, and the 121-amino acid C-terminal peptide, mature IL-6, both of which are biologically active.{60945} Pro-IL-16 translocates to the nucleus, where it acts as a transcriptional repressor of S-phase kinase-associated protein 2 (Skp2), preventing cell cycle entry, whereas mature IL-16 is secreted upon antigen or pro-inflammatory cytokine stimulation and acts as a CD4+ T cell chemoattractant.{60945,60946} Precursor IL-16 is constitutively expressed by CD8+ or CD4+ T cells.{60946} Caspase-3-mediated cleavage of precursor IL-16 is constitutive in CD8+ T cells, which store mature IL-16 in vesicles until antigen, mitogen, or vasoactive amine stimulation, whereas caspase-3 activation by mitogens or antigens is a prerequisite for precursor IL-16 processing in CD4+ T cells. IL-16 production can also be induced by growth factor, cytokine, or mitogen stimulation in other leukocytes, including macrophages, dendritic cells, mast cells, and eosinophils. IL-16 has roles in numerous inflammatory conditions.{60947} Serum IL-16 levels are increased in patients infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV), and IL-16 levels are increased in the CNS or synovial fluid of patients with multiple sclerosis or rheumatoid arthritis, respectively. Cayman's Interleukin-16 Monoclonal Antibody can be used for immunohistochemistry (IHC) applications. The antibody recognizes IL-16 from human samples.