Analysis Note

The biological activity is measured by the dose-dependent stimulation of the proliferation of mouse M-NFS-60 cells.

Application

Interleukin-3 from mouse has been used for the determination of 5-lipoxygenase product leukotriene C4 (LTC4) formation. It has also been used as a component of RPMI 1640 medium for cell transfection.

Biochem/physiol Actions

Interleukin-3 (IL-3) is a multifunctional protein, originally called colony forming unit-stimulating activity (CFU-SA), and is produced by activated T lymphocytes. IL-3 supports the formation of multilineage colonies in the early development of multipotent hematopoietic progenitor cells. IL-3 has been shown to induce colony formation of macrophages, neutrophils, mast cells, and megakaryocytes from agar-suspended bone marrow cells. IL-3 also interacts with IL-2 to stimulate growth of T lymphocytes and to induce IgG secretion from activated B cells. Other synonyms for IL-3 include pan-specific hemopoietin, multicolony stimulating factor, mast cell growth factor, burst promoting activity, histamine-producing cell stimulating factor, P cell stimulating factor, and WEHI-3 factor.

General description

Interleukin-3 is a hematopoietic growth factor, which stimulates basophil development and triggers histamine, IL-4 and IL-6 release. It improves monocyte and macrophage activation and phagocytosis, enhances the secretory function of eosinophils. Interleukin-3 promotes endothelial cell proliferation and migration.

Physical form

Lyophilized with 0.5 mg of bovine serum albumin. Sterile filtered through a 0.2 µm filter.