Description
IL-19, also known as Interleukin-19, is a member of the IL-10 family of related cytokines, which includes IL-10, IL-19, IL-20, IL-22, IL-24 and IL-26. This protein is an immunosuppressive cytokine that is responsible for both cell type-specific and system-specific down-regulation of inflammation, because it up-regulates IL-6 and TNF-alpha, and induces apoptosis through TNF-alpha. It binds a receptor complex consisting of the IL-20 receptor alpha (IL-20 R1) and the IL-20 receptor beta (IL-20 R2). This receptor complex is also shared by IL-20 and IL-24. IL-19-deficient animals was associated with reduced numbers of IL-6-producing macrophages in the inflamed colonic lamina propria. It may contribute to the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease. Recombinant human IL-19, fused to His-tag at C-terminus, was expressed in HEK293 cell and purified by using conventional chromatography techniques