Invitrogen™ CD218a (IL-18Ra) Monoclonal Antibody (P3TUNYA), eFluor™ 450, eBioscience™

Rat Monoclonal Antibody

Description: This P3TUNYA monoclonal antibody reacts with mouse CD218a (Interleukin 18 Receptor alpha). CD218a is one of the subunits of the heterodimeric receptor complex for the IL-18 cytokine. IL-18 is a proinflammatory cytokine and member of the IL-1 family first identified by its role in IFN gamma secretion during toxic shock. Like the other members of the family, it is synthesized as an inactive precursor which requires cleavage by caspases prior to secretion of the active form. It is secreted by activated monocytes, macrophages, epithelial cells, and keratinocytes via a non-classical pathway. IL-18 Receptor is expressed on Th1, but not naive CD4 T cells or Th2, as well as subsets of NK cells and neutrophils. The heterodimeric receptor is made up of a ligand-binding alpha chain and signal-transducing beta chain. On its own, IL-18Ra binds IL-18 with low affinity, although the affinity of this interaction increases upon forming a complex with IL-18Rb. IL-18R signaling plays a critical role in Th1 differentiation and effector function, and results in the increased expression of IFN gamma, TNF alpha, and Fas ligand from T cells and NK cells. IL-18 has also been found to synergize with IL-23 in the development and function of Th17 cells. Recently, a subset of CD8 T cells has been discovered that co-secretes IFN gamma with IL-17A and sometimes IL-22. These Tc17 cells share key transcription factors, chemokine receptors, and cytokine receptors with Th17 cells. In humans, th...