Interleukin-23 human

Cat. No.: I755847

GRADE & PURITY Recombinant, for Cell culture, IL-23, expressed in HEK 293 cells, HumanKine®;

Overview

HumanKine interleukin-23 (IL-23) is expressed as a heterodimeric 55 kDa cytokine composed of two glycosylated and disulfide linked subunits (p40 cystine linked to p19). Production in human HEK 293 cells offers authentic glycosylation. Cytokines produced in Sf9 or Sf21 cells have post-translational modifications, which are not human-like.

Interleukin-23 (IL-23) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine. It is mostly synthesized by activated dendritic cells and macrophages. It is a 20.7kDa protein with 189 amino acids. IL-23 is mostly expressed on activated/memory T cells and natural killer (NK) cells. This gene is located on human chromosome 12q13.3.

Specifications

Product Name

Interleukin-23 human

Grade

for Cell culture, Recombinant

Specifications & Purity

Recombinant, for cell culture, IL-23, expressed in HEK 293 cells, HumanKine^®;

Biochemical and Physiological Mechanisms

Interleukin-23 (IL-23) plays a major role in cutaneous immune-mediated inflammatory diseases like psoriasis, allergic contact dermatitis and atopic dermatitis. It is involved in cellular immunity, driving the expansion, stabilization and survival of Th17

Molecule Type

Protein

Storage and Shipping

Concentration

IL-23, expressed in HEK 293 cells, HumanKine^®;

Storage

Store at -20°C

Shipped In

Ice chest + Ice pads

Application Protocols

Tested, validated application protocols and recommended working dilutions are not specified for this item; refer to the CoA/Spec Sheet.

To ensure successful use in your system:

• Establish a dose–response curve with your specific cell model and readout.
• Use sterile technique and prepare single‑use aliquots to avoid freeze–thaw.

Note: The foregoing are general best practices and are not validated protocols for this SKU.

Biological Roles

Human IL‑23 is a heterodimeric cytokine (p19/IL23A + p40/IL12B) that signals through the IL‑23 receptor complex (IL‑23R with IL‑12Rβ1), activating associated kinases JAK2 and TYK2 and predominantly driving STAT3, with context‑dependent STAT4 contributions (literature).

• Functional themes (literature):
  • Type 17 immunity: Supports expansion and stabilization of IL‑17–producing T helper cells (Th17) and acts on other IL‑23‑responsive lymphocytes, including subsets of γδ T cells and innate lymphoid cells (ILC3).
  • Effector programs: Induces expression of cytokines and chemokines associated with neutrophil‑mobilizing responses, antimicrobial barriers, and tissue‑proximal immunity.
  • Dendritic cell–T cell axis: Produced by antigen‑presenting cells and integrates with signals from IL‑1 family members and TCR/co‑stimulation to shape adaptive responses.
  • Signal transduction: Engagement of IL‑23R/IL‑12Rβ1 triggers JAK–STAT signaling; downstream networks include MAPK and PI3K/AKT pathways in certain cell types.
• Systems biology context (literature):
  • Crosstalk with IL‑12: Shares the p40 subunit with IL‑12 but delivers distinct signals via IL‑23R, typically favoring type 17 over type 1 polarization.
  • Gene regulation: STAT3‑dependent transcriptional modules reinforce IL‑23 responsiveness via receptor and effector gene feedback loops.

Note: The above describes canonical biology from the literature. Item‑specific activity, potency units, and receptor engagement data are not specified for this SKU; consult the CoA/Spec Sheet for lot‑specific bioactivity verification.

Buffer Applications

As a recombinant cytokine for cell culture, IL‑23 is commonly reconstituted and handled in sterile, neutral pH buffers that protect conformation and minimize nonspecific adsorption.

• Practical buffer systems (general guidance):
  • PBS, pH 7.2–7.4: Convenient for reconstitution and short‑term handling; isotonic for cell exposure.
  • HEPES-buffered saline (10–25 mM HEPES, 150 mM NaCl, pH 7.2–7.6): Improved pH stability during CO2‑independent manipulations.
  • Additives: 0.05–0.1% HSA/BSA to reduce surface loss; 2–5% trehalose or sucrose for freeze–thaw resilience; minimal polysorbate (0.001–0.01%) if adsorption is problematic and compatible with the assay.
• Working solution preparation:
  • Filter buffers through 0.2 µm membranes to maintain sterility and low particulate burden.
  • Prepare cytokine dilutions fresh; keep on ice during setup and return promptly to 37°C only during cell incubation.
• Compatibility notes:
  • Avoid azide in solutions intended for live cells.
  • Verify that carrier proteins or surfactants do not confound readouts (e.g., phosphorylation assays, ELISAs).

Item-specific recommended buffer, excipients, and reconstitution details are not provided for this SKU; please refer to the CoA/Spec Sheet for authoritative instructions.

Green Alternatives

Although “green chemistry” typically addresses organic solvents and reagents, protein handling can also incorporate greener, safer practices without compromising cytokine integrity.

• Considerations and options (general guidance):
  • Buffer systems: Choose CO2‑independent, zwitterionic buffers (e.g., HEPES) to reduce CO2 incubator dependence during manipulations; prepare using high‑purity water and reusable glassware to minimize plastic waste.
  • Preservatives: Avoid sodium azide for cell culture applications; where sterility must be maintained, rely on aseptic technique and sterile filtration rather than biocides.
  • Surfactants: Use the minimum effective concentration of nonionic surfactants (e.g., polysorbate 20) to limit aquatic toxicity upon disposal.
  • Packaging and waste: Consolidate orders to reduce cold‑chain shipments; reuse or recycle insulated shipping containers and ice packs where local regulations allow.
  • Aliquot strategy: Right‑size aliquots to reduce freeze–thaw–related waste and product discards.

Comparison snapshot (general):

• Sodium azide vs. aseptic handling/sterile filtration: Aseptic methods eliminate toxic azide in aqueous waste but require rigorous technique.
• High-plastic consumable use vs. low-protein–binding glassware: Glassware reduces plastic waste but may increase adsorption losses; balance with carrier proteins.

Item-specific environmental attributes (e.g., recyclable packaging content, solvent-free formulation) are not specified for this item; refer to product documentation as available.

Pharmaceutical Uses

This product is supplied strictly for research use only and is not intended for human or veterinary use, diagnostic procedures, or as an active pharmaceutical ingredient.

• Formulation/excipient role: Not applicable. IL‑23 is a bioactive cytokine, not a typical excipient.
• Manufacturing context:
  • In preclinical research settings, recombinant cytokines may serve as reference standards or positive controls in bioassays that support process development or analytical method qualification. Such uses are assay‑internal and non‑clinical.
• Regulatory status:
  • No pharmacopeial monograph or compendial status is specified for this item; refer to internal quality systems for qualification of materials used in non‑clinical studies.

Item-specific information regarding GMP status, residuals, viral safety, or pharmaceutical applicability is not specified for this item; consult your Quality Unit and the product CoA if considering use beyond basic research.

Physical Properties

As a recombinant protein cytokine, conventional small‑molecule physical constants (bp, mp, logP) are not applicable.

• Item-specific values:
  • Appearance: Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet.
  • Molecular weight: Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet.
• Literature/general characteristics for human IL‑23:
  • Subunit composition: p19 (~19 kDa) + p40 (~40 kDa) forming a heterodimer; apparent molecular mass of the mature heterodimer often observed ~60–70 kDa by SDS‑PAGE under non-reducing conditions depending on glycosylation.
  • Isoelectric point (pI): varies with sequence and glycosylation; reported pI values in the mid-single digit range for many preparations (literature, vendor reports vary).
  • Solubility: Readily soluble in aqueous physiological buffers (e.g., PBS, HEPES) with carrier protein; low‑µg/mL to mg/mL ranges achievable depending on formulation (literature).
  • Stability: Enhanced by inclusion of carrier proteins (e.g., ≤0.1% HSA/BSA) and sugars/polyols; sensitive to repeated freeze–thaw (literature).
• Optical properties (literature):
  • UV absorbance at 280 nm typical of proteins; extinction coefficient depends on sequence (tryptophan/tyrosine content). Exact A280-to-concentration conversion is preparation‑specific.

For experimental planning, use literature values as qualitative guidance only. For lot‑specific data (mass by SDS‑PAGE, endotoxin, host residuals, formulation excipients, and concentration), refer to the CoA/Spec Sheet.

Quality & Grades

• Item-specific grade: Recombinant, for Cell culture.
  • Meaning: Produced via recombinant expression and suitable for use in cell culture workflows where sterility and biological activity are important.
  • Typical expectations for this grade (general guidance):
    • Sterile or sterile-filtered presentation and low bioburden.
    • Bioactivity verified using a relevant cellular assay (e.g., STAT phosphorylation or Th17-supporting readouts) — exact assay and units may vary by supplier.
    • Low levels of host-cell proteins/DNA and process impurities; endotoxin controlled for cell culture use.
  • Item-specific quality metrics (endotoxin, specific activity, purity by SDS‑PAGE/HPLC, residual host proteins/DNA): Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet.
• Stabilizers/excipients:
  • Presence and identity of carrier proteins, sugars/polyols, salts, and preservatives are formulation‑dependent and impact stability and bioactivity.
  • For this item: Not specified; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet.
• Implications for experimental design:
  • Verify activity units and dilution basis (mass vs. units) from the CoA before setting up dose–response curves.
  • Confirm endotoxin specification if using with primary cells or sensitive cell lines.
  • Record lot number and retain CoA for reproducibility and publication reporting.
• Documentation:
  • CoA/Spec Sheet will provide lot-specific details (sterility, endotoxin, identity confirmation, activity assay). In the absence of listed values above, always defer to the CoA for authoritative specifications.

Reaction & Applications

This product is a recombinant human cytokine for biological research; it is not used as a chemical reagent in synthetic reactions. Relevant applications center on cell signaling and functional immunology assays.

• Typical research uses (literature/generic guidance):
  • Immune cell modulation in vitro: Maintain or expand IL‑23–responsive lymphocyte populations (e.g., Th17 cells, certain ILC subsets) under defined culture conditions, often in combination with other cytokines.
  • Signaling pathway studies: Acute stimulation to induce IL‑23R‑dependent JAK2/TYK2 activation and downstream STAT3/STAT4 phosphorylation; used in time‑course and dose–response assays.
  • Gene expression profiling: Evaluate IL‑23–induced transcriptional programs via qPCR/RNA‑seq, including cytokines and chemokines associated with type 17 responses.
  • Receptor biology: Binding/neutralization studies with anti‑IL‑23 or anti‑IL‑23R reagents; competitive assays to characterize ligand–receptor interactions.
  • Assay controls and standards: Positive control for validating pathway reporters or bioassays.
• Practical tips (general):
  • Prepare single‑use aliquots to avoid activity loss from multiple freeze–thaw cycles.
  • Include carrier protein in diluents to reduce adsorption to plastics at low ng/mL concentrations.
  • Calibrate activity in your system with a fresh dose–response curve; activity units can vary between lots and cell models.

Item-specific validated applications are not provided for this SKU; consult the CoA/Spec Sheet and adapt the above guidance to your experimental system.

Reaction Conditions

Classical reaction conditions (solvent, temperature, catalysts, yields) are not applicable to this recombinant protein.

• Biological assay conditions (general, literature-based guidance) often include:
  • Temperature: 37°C incubation with live cells.
  • Matrix: Serum‑containing or defined serum‑free media; cytokine diluted in sterile buffer with optional carrier protein.
  • Concentration ranges: Common working concentrations span low ng/mL to tens of ng/mL, but optimal doses are cell‑model and lot dependent.

Item-specific assay conditions and potency units are not specified for this SKU; determine conditions empirically and refer to the CoA/Spec Sheet for any lot‑specific recommendations.

Safety & Handling

• GHS/SDS:
  • Signal word, hazard statements, pictograms, and classification: Not specified for this item; refer to the SDS for authoritative safety information.
• General laboratory handling (good practice for recombinant proteins):
  • Use appropriate PPE: lab coat, gloves, and safety glasses. Handle solutions in a biosafety cabinet if sterility must be maintained for cell culture.
  • Avoid aerosol generation; open vials carefully. Use sterile, low-protein–binding tips and tubes to minimize loss and contamination.
• Incompatibilities and precautions:
  • Avoid strong oxidizers and extremes of pH or temperature; cytokines are sensitive to denaturation.
  • Avoid repeated freeze–thaw cycles; aliquot upon first thaw (see Storage & Reconstitution).
  • For cell culture use, maintain aseptic technique to prevent microbial contamination.
• First-aid overview (general):
  • Inhalation: Move to fresh air; obtain medical attention if symptoms occur.
  • Skin/eye contact: Rinse with water for several minutes; remove contaminated clothing; seek medical advice if irritation persists.
  • Ingestion: Rinse mouth; seek medical advice.
• Environmental and waste:
  • Dispose of unused protein and contaminated disposables as laboratory biological waste according to institutional and local regulations.
• Transport and storage risks:
  • Product is shipped with ice packs; prevent warming during receipt. Upon arrival, promptly transfer to the specified storage temperature (−20°C for this item).

Always consult the product SDS and institutional EHS guidance for definitive safety and handling procedures.

Solvent Selection

For recombinant cytokines such as human IL‑23, the relevant “solvents” are aqueous buffers designed to preserve structure and bioactivity while maintaining sterility.

• Buffer choices (general, literature-guided):
  • Phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), pH ~7.2–7.4: isotonic, widely used for reconstitution and dilution.
  • HEPES-buffered saline (HBS), pH 7.2–7.6: improved pH buffering near neutral, useful for CO2‑independent cell culture handling.
  • Low-ionic strength buffers (e.g., 10–20 mM sodium phosphate + 150 mM NaCl): reduce aggregation for some cytokines.
• Additives to enhance stability (if compatible with your assay/cells):
  • Carrier protein: 0.05–0.1% HSA or BSA can minimize adsorption to plastics and surface denaturation.
  • Sugars/polyols: 2–5% trehalose/sucrose or 5–10% glycerol can increase thermal stability; assess cell compatibility.
  • Detergent: 0.001–0.01% nonionic surfactant (e.g., polysorbate 20) may reduce surface loss; verify biological effects beforehand.
• Compatibility:
  • Avoid chelators or reducing agents that may interfere with receptor interactions or disulfide stability unless justified by your assay.
  • Maintain low endotoxin and sterility for cell culture applications; use sterile, filtered buffers and aseptic technique.
• When to choose alternatives:
  • For functional assays sensitive to phosphate, select HEPES or MOPS buffers.
  • For long-term frozen storage, buffers with cryoprotectants (e.g., glycerol or sugars) can improve recovery after thawing.

Item-specific formulation and recommended reconstitution solvent are not specified for this item; refer to the CoA/Spec Sheet for authoritative instructions.

Storage & Reconstitution

• Item-specific storage and shipping:
  • Storage Conditions: Store at −20°C.
  • Shipped In: Ice chest + ice pads.
• Stability notes (general guidance):
  • Minimize freeze–thaw cycles. Upon first thaw, prepare single‑use aliquots in sterile, protein‑compatible buffer to preserve activity.
  • Keep solutions on ice during handling and return promptly to −20°C (or colder for long‑term storage) when not in use. Avoid elevated temperatures.
• Reconstitution:
  • Reconstitution solvent, target concentration, and excipients: Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet.
  • General best practice: Reconstitute with sterile, neutral pH buffer (e.g., PBS or HEPES) and consider adding a carrier protein (e.g., ≤0.1% HSA/BSA) if compatible with downstream assays to reduce adsorption losses.
• Aliquoting and containers:
  • Use low‑protein–binding tubes and tips; label aliquots with lot, concentration, and date.
• Thawing:
  • Thaw on ice; mix gently. Do not vortex vigorously.

Always follow the lot‑specific CoA/Spec Sheet for any provided instructions that supersede the general guidance above.

Structure & Identity

Interleukin‑23 (human) is a recombinant cytokine supplied for research use in cell culture. It is a heterodimeric glycoprotein composed of two noncovalently associated subunits.

• Item-specific identifiers:
  • CAS: Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet.
  • InChIKey / SMILES: Not applicable for proteins; Not specified for this item.
  • Molecular formula: Not applicable as a discrete small molecule; Not specified for this item.
  • Molecular weight: Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet.
• Protein architecture (literature):
  • Heterodimer of a unique p19 subunit (IL23A) and the p40 subunit (IL12B) shared with IL‑12.
  • The p19 and p40 chains associate to form the biologically active IL‑23 cytokine; inter-subunit contacts stabilize the complex. Disulfide bonds are present within subunits; a classical inter-chain disulfide is not strictly required for bioactivity in all preparations (literature).
  • Both subunits are secreted, typically glycosylated proteins; glycoforms and exact mass depend on expression host and processing (literature).
• 2D/3D structural features in words (literature):
  • p19 adopts a four-helix bundle cytokine fold typical of class I helical cytokines.
  • p40 is a soluble receptor-like domain with a β‑propeller architecture that cradles p19, analogous to its role in IL‑12.
• Receptor interaction (literature):
  • Binds a heterodimeric receptor composed of IL‑23R and IL‑12Rβ1, leading to JAK2/TYK2 engagement and downstream STAT activation.

Note: Exact sequence length, isoform, expression host, tags, and glycan content are not specified for this item; consult the CoA/Spec Sheet for lot-specific identity and characterization data.

Synthetic Utility

Not typically applicable. Interleukin‑23 is a recombinant protein cytokine used for biological experiments rather than a building block or reagent in chemical synthesis.

• For researchers seeking molecular tools: consider using IL‑23 in receptor/ligand binding assays, signaling studies, or as a positive control in immunoassays, rather than in chemical transformations.

No small‑molecule synthetic utility is associated with this item.

Target Specificity

Target/analyte specificity information validated for this SKU is not provided in the Product Data.

• Item-specific details such as receptor binding constants, sequence accession, tag configuration, species cross‑reactivity, and epitope mapping: Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet.

General literature note: Human IL‑23 exerts activity via the IL‑23R/IL‑12Rβ1 receptor complex; however, no item‑specific binding or activity characterization is provided here.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does for cell culture mean?

for cell culture indicates that the product has been processed and tested for cell culture and tissue engineering. Specifications may include endotoxin limits, microbial controls, sterility, low DNase/RNase/protease activity, and verified biological activity where relevant.

What does Recombinant mean?

Recombinant is a defined analytical purity tier suitable for workflows requiring a specific validated property. It specifies a minimum assay percentage, controlled limits on common impurities (water, heavy metals, residue on ignition), and lot-to-lot consistency. Recombinant is one of several purity tiers — choose based on the sensitivity and regulatory requirements of your method.

How should this product be stored?

Store at ?20 °C. Freezer storage is required to maintain the specified shelf life.

How is this product shipped?

This product ships in an insulated container with ice pads. Unpack on arrival and transfer it to the storage condition stated above.

What documentation is provided?

Available product documentation, including Certificates of Analysis (COA), Safety Data Sheets (SDS), and specification sheets, is shown in the product document area. Document availability and access follow the current site policy.