Recombinant Ovine Interferon-tau protein

• Background:

  IFN-τ is a new class of type I IFN that is secreted by the trophoblast and is the signal for maternal recognition of pregnancy in sheep. IFN-τ has potent immunosuppressive and antiviral activities similar to other type I IFN but is less cytotoxic than IFN-α/β. The current investigation concerns the effect of recombinant ovine IFN-tau (rOvIFN-τ) on the modulation of MHC class I and II expression on cloned mouse cerebrovascular endothelial (CVE) cells. IFN-tau induced tyrosine phosphorylation of Stat1 and up regulated the expression of MHC class I on CVE. One proposed action by which type I IFN reduce the relapse rate in MS is via interference with IFN-γ-induced MHC class II expression. IFN-τwas shown to down regulate IFN-γ-induced MHC class II expression on CVE and, hence, may be of potential therapeutic value in down regulating inflammation in the central nervous system (CNS). IFN-τdid not upregulate the expression of MHC class II on CVE. IFN-τalso inhibited the replication of Theilers virus in CVE.

• Molecular Weight:

  Approximately 19.9 kDa, a single glycosylated polypeptide chain containing 172 amino acids.

• CAS Number:

  9000-83-3