EYRAplex: Mouse Cytokine/Chemokine (30‑plex)

Chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2), also called monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and JE, belongs to the CC chemokine family. CCL2 is secreted by a wide array of cells including monocytes, macrophages, dendritic cells, endothelial cells, astrocytes, and osteoblasts. In addition to its chemotactic properties, CCL2 is involved in processes of degranulation, upregulation of receptors, cell survival, and secretion of cytokines. Its presence in multiple tissues has been linked to various diseases such as Alzheimer's, diabetes, tuberculosis, osteoporosis, and cancer where CCL2 plays a role in tumor microenvironment.

CCL5, also known as RANTES (Regulated on Activation, Normal T cell Expressed and Secreted), is a chemokine secreted by T cells, macrophages, platelets, epithelial cells, and fibroblasts. It recruits a broad range of immune cells, including T cells, monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils to sites of inflammation. CCL5 plays an important role in chronic inflammation, antiviral immunity, and transplant rejection, and is widely studied across infectious disease and immunology research.

CCL11, also known as Eotaxin-1, is a chemokine primarily secreted by epithelial cells, endothelial cells, fibroblasts, and smooth muscle cells. Its main role in the immune system is to recruit eosinophils to sites of allergic inflammation through the receptor CCR3. CCL11 is a central mediator of Th2-driven responses and is strongly associated with asthma, atopic disease, and eosinophilic disorders, making it a key marker for researchers studying allergy and type 2 inflammation.

CXCL1, also known as KC/GRO-α, is an ELR-positive chemokine secreted by macrophages, neutrophils, epithelial cells, and endothelial cells. Signaling through the receptor CXCR2, its main role is to drive the rapid recruitment of neutrophils to sites of infection and tissue damage. CXCL1 is a key mediator of the earliest phase of the innate immune response, making it a valuable marker for researchers studying acute inflammation and host defense.

CXCL2, also known as MIP-2 (Macrophage Inflammatory Protein-2), is an ELR-positive chemokine secreted by macrophages, monocytes, and epithelial cells. Closely related to CXCL1, it signals through CXCR2 to drive neutrophil chemotaxis during acute inflammation and infection. CXCL2 is a useful readout for researchers dissecting neutrophil-mediated innate immunity and early inflammatory responses.

CXCL5, also known as LIX (Lipopolysaccharide-Induced CXC chemokine) or ENA-78, is an ELR-positive chemokine secreted primarily by alveolar type II epithelial cells and platelets. Signaling through CXCR2, it recruits and activates neutrophils and contributes to connective tissue remodeling. CXCL5 is particularly relevant to researchers studying lung inflammation, respiratory disease, and chronic inflammatory conditions.

CXCL9, also known as MIG (Monokine Induced by Gamma-interferon), is an IFN-γ-induced chemokine secreted by monocytes, macrophages, and endothelial cells. Through the receptor CXCR3, it recruits activated Th1 cells and natural killer (NK) cells to sites of inflammation. CXCL9 is a valuable readout for antiviral immunity, tumor immunology, and Th1-polarized immune responses.

G-CSF (Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor) or CSF3 is a growth factor secreted by macrophages, endothelial cells, and fibroblasts. Its main role is to drive the production, differentiation, and mobilization of neutrophils from the bone marrow. G-CSF is essential to host defense against infection and is a key marker for researchers studying hematopoiesis, myeloid biology, and the innate immune response.

Granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) can be secreted by T cells, macrophages, endothelial cells, and fibroblasts. GM-CSF stimulates the survival and functional activities of myeloid, that is, monocytes, macrophages, DCs, neutrophils, and eosinophils. It also stimulates the differentiation and proliferation of hematological progenitors.

Interferon-γ (IFN-γ) is the only type II interferon. This proinflammatory cytokine is secreted by activated T cells and NK cells. It activates macrophages and endothelial cells and regulates immune responses by affecting APCs, T cells, and B cells. Production of IFN-γ by helper T cells and cytotoxic T cells is a hallmark of the Th1-type phenotype. Thus, high-level production of IFN-γ is typically associated with effective host defense against intracellular pathogens.

Interleukin 1α (IL-1α) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine primarily produced by monocytes, macrophages, and neutrophils. IL-1α induces acute phase responses such as fever, T cell, and macrophage activation. 

Interleukin 1ß (IL-1ß) is a proinflammatory cytokine and inducer of acute phase responses. IL-1ß is produced primarily by monocytes, macrophages, and dendritic cells after induction by microbes.
 

Interleukin 2 (IL-2) is predominantly produced by activated T cells. IL-2 promotes the proliferation, differentiation, and survival of antigen-activated T cells and NK cells. After antigen stimulation, the cytokine also promotes the differentiation of T cells into effector and memory T cells. Therefore IL-2 plays an important role in the body's response to infection. IL-2 is also key to tolerance, as it promotes the differentiation of certain immature T cells into regulatory T cells in the thymus, ultimately preventing autoimmune diseases. 

The cytokine interleukin 3 (IL-3) is mainly produced by activated T cells. IL-3 is also called multi-lineage-colony stimulating factor since it induces the growth and differentiation of many cells. IL-3 also activates mast cells, eosinophils, basophils, and macrophages.

Interleukin 4 (IL-4) is produced primarily by Th2 cells, mast cells, eosinophils, and basophils. IL-4 was first identified to costimulate B cell growth; the cytokine is essential for B cell secretion of IgE and augments the production of IgG1 in vivo. In addition to regulating B cell growth and immunoglobulin secretion, IL-4 also affects T cells. In vitro, IL-4 promotes T cell growth and can induce cytolytic T cell activity. IL-4 also induces the differentiation of naive CD4 T cells into Th2 cells, which are characterized by their capacity to secrete the cytokines IL-4, IL-5, and IL-10 upon activation, while simultaneously inhibiting the generation of Th1 cells.

Interleukin 5 (IL-5) is a pleiotropic cytokine primarily produced by T and NK cells.  IL-5 specifically controls the survival, differentiation, and chemotaxis of eosinophils. But initially, IL-5 was characterized by its ability to support the growth and terminal differentiation of B cells.

Interleukin 6 (IL-6) is a pleiotropic cytokine produced by many different cell types and plays a role in a wide range of functions, such as immune responses, acute-phase reactions, and hematopoiesis. Among other things, it augments antibody production from activated B cells in vitro.

IL-9 (Interleukin-9) is a cytokine secreted by Th9 cells, Th2 cells, mast cells, and type 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s). It promotes mast cell growth, allergic inflammation, and mucosal immunity. IL-9 is a key marker for researchers studying allergy, asthma, and immunity to parasitic infection.

Interleukin 10 (IL-10) is a pleiotropic cytokine produced by activated T cells and monocytes. It can modulate the functions of immune responses in both a stimulatory and an inhibitory way. IL-10 is thereby involved in the regulation of immune reactions and inflammatory responses.

Interleukin 12 (IL-12) is, when biologically active, a heterodimer (p70) consisting of two covalently linked subunits, p35 and p40. The p40 subunit is shared with IL-23. IL-12 is produced by antigen-presenting cells, specifically dendritic cells, and macrophages. IL-12 is a proinflammatory cytokine that promotes Th1-type responses by inducing IFN-γ production and enhancing the proliferation and cytotoxicity of NK and T cells.

Interleukin 12 (IL-12) is, when biologically active, a heterodimer (p70) consisting of two covalently linked subunits, p35 and p40. IL-12 is produced by antigen-presenting cells, specifically dendritic cells, and macrophages. IL-12 is a proinflammatory cytokine that promotes Th1-type responses by inducing IFN-γ production and enhancing the proliferation and cytotoxicity of NK and T cells.

Interleukin-23 (IL-23) is a disulfide-linked heterodimer that consists of a unique p19 subunit and the p40 subunit of IL-12. IL-23 is a proinflammatory cytokine, which is produced by macrophages and dendritic cells upon infections with certain pathogens. The IL-23 receptor is expressed on Th17 cells, and IL-23 is responsible for Th17 expansion and stabilization.

Since both IL-12 and IL-23 heterodimers comprise the p40 subunit, capture immunoassays based on antibodies to p40 will detect both cytokines. Such assays can also detect p40 monomers and dimers.

Interleukin 13 (IL-13) is produced by Th2-type cells, mast cells, and NK cells in response to activation. It regulates the secretion of IgE by B cells and the Th2-type cell development and suppresses inflammatory responses by regulation of macrophage function.

IL-15 (Interleukin-15) is a cytokine secreted by monocytes, macrophages, dendritic cells, and epithelial cells. It is critical for the development, survival, and activation of natural killer (NK) cells and CD8+ memory T cells. IL-15 plays a central role in antiviral immunity and is a key marker for researchers in NK cell biology and immunotherapy.

Interleukin 17A (IL-17A) is a potent proinflammatory cytokine produced by activated Th17 (T helper 17) cells and certain cells belonging to the innate immune system. In mice, IL-17 has also been shown to be produced by activated CD8 T cells and γδ T cells. Th17 cells play an important role in autoimmune diseases and protection against bacteria and fungi. IL-17A acts on a broad range of cell types to induce the expression of cytokines, chemokines, and metalloproteinases. As a result, secretion of IL-17A promotes inflammatory responses, which leads to the recruitment of neutrophils, enhancement of antibody production, and activation of T cells. Increased expression of IL-17A is seen in autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis. It is also associated with asthma, psoriasis, cancer, and transplant rejection.

Interferon gamma-induced protein 10 (IP-10) secretion is induced by IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IL-1β. This proinflammatory cytokine is produced by monocytes, endothelial cells, and fibroblasts. The interferon gamma-induced protein 10 recruits lymphocytes to sites of infection and increases the expression of MHC class I molecules. In addition to chemotaxis, IP-10 is also involved in the differentiation and activation of peripheral immune cells, regulation of cell growth, apoptosis, and modulation of angiostatic effects. The binding of IP-10 (CXCL10) to the CXCR3 receptor causes the downstream activation of the phospholipase C-dependent pathway, an increase in intracellular calcium production, and actin reorganization. 

M-CSF, also known as CSF-1 (Colony-Stimulating Factor-1), is a growth factor secreted by fibroblasts, endothelial cells, macrophages, and osteoblasts. It is the principal driver of monocyte and macrophage differentiation, survival, and function. M-CSF is central to research in macrophage biology, bone remodeling, and tumor-associated macrophages.

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF), also known as TNF-α, is produced by many different cell types, e.g., monocytes, macrophages, T cells, and B cells. Among the many effects of TNF-α are protection against bacterial infection, cell growth modulation, immune system regulation, and involvement in septic shock.

VEGF-A (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A) is a growth factor secreted by macrophages, platelets, endothelial cells, and many tumor cells. It is the principal driver of angiogenesis and vascular permeability and also exerts important immunomodulatory effects. VEGF-A is a cornerstone marker for researchers in cancer, wound healing, and vascular biology.