Description: Defensins (alpha and beta) are cationic peptides with a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity that comprise an important arm of the innate immune system. The α-defensins are distinguished from the β-defensins by the pairing of their three disulfide bonds. To date, six human β-defensins have been identified; BD-1, BD-2, BD-3, BD-4, BD-5 and BD-6. β-defensins are expressed on some leukocytes and at epithelial surfaces. In addition to their direct antimicrobial activities, they can act as chemoattractants towards immature dendritic cells and memory T cells. The β-defensin proteins are expressed as the C-terminal portion of precursors and are released by proteolytic cleavage of a signal sequence and in some cases, a propeptide sequence. β-defensins contain a six-cysteine motif that forms three intra-molecular disulfide bonds. Recombinant human BD-2 is a 4.3 kDa protein containing 41 amino acid residues.

Description: Relaxin-2 is a peptide hormone structurally related to insulin, which is expressed in the placenta, decidua, prostate, and in the ovary during pregnancy. Of the three known relaxin genes, Relaxin-2 is the only relaxin known to circulate in the blood. Relaxin-2 binds specifically to the LGR7 and LGR8 receptors, previously identified as an “orphan” G protein coupled receptors. Signaling by Relaxin-2 through its target receptors enhances the growth of pubic ligaments and ripening of the cervix during birth. Recombinant Relaxin-2 is a nonglycosylated 6.0 kDa disulfide linked heterodimeric protein consisting of a 24 amino acid A-chain and a 29 amino acid B-chain.

Description: IL-2 is a powerful immunoregulatory lymphokine produced by T-cells in response to antigenic or mitogenic stimulation. IL-2/IL-2R signaling is required for T-cell proliferation and other fundamental functions which are essential for the immune response. IL-2 stimulates growth and differentiation of B-cells, NK cells, lymphokine activated killer cells, monocytes, macrophages and oligodendrocytes. Recombinant murine IL-2 is a 17.2 kDa protein, containing 149 amino acid residues.

Description: PAI-2 is an inhibitory serpin expressed mainly in keratinocytes, activated monocytes, and placental trophoblasts. It exists predominantly as a 47 kDa nonglycosylated intracellular protein which can be induced to be secreted as 60 kDa glycoprotein. The glycosylated and unglycosylated forms of PAI-2 are equally effective as inhibitors of urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA), the only established physiological target of this serpin. PAI-2 has a unique ability to form dormant polymers spontaneously and reversibly under physiological conditions. The physiological relevance of this property, which is neither a consequence of any mutation in the PAI-2 gene nor associated with any known disorder, is still unclear. However, it appears that the formation of intracellular dormant polymers may be important for the controlled release of the inhibitor from PAI-2 producing cells. Plasma levels of PAI-2 are usually low or undetectable, except during pregnancy and in some forms of monocytic leukemia. Secretion of PAI-2 from the placenta normally occurs during the third trimester of pregnancy and accounts for the dramatic increase in PAI-2 levels (up to 250 ng/ml), which are maintained at these levels until postpartum, and then rapidly decline. In addition to its vital role in protecting the placenta from degradation by uPA and/or uPA-activated proteases, PAI-2 has been shown to be essential for the prevention of metastatic spread of neck, lung and breast cancers. The beneficial effect of PAI-2 seen in these studies is presumed to stem from its ability to inhibit uPA-dependent cell dissemination. PAI-2 has also been reported to inhibit keratinocyte proliferation, and to participate in the innate immune response during viral infection. Recombinant human PAI-2 is a 415-residue nonglycosylated protein.

Description: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a family of endoproteases that require zinc and calcium for expressing catalytic activity. These enzymes play a central role in the maintenance and remodeling of the extracellular matrix. Elevated expression of their activity, caused either by up-regulation of their expression or down-regulation of their cognate inhibitors, has been implicated in various degenerative disorders, including arthritis, cardiovascular disease, skeletal growth-plate disorders, and cancer metastasis. MMP-2 is a secreted collagenase with specificity toward Type IV, V, VII, and X collagens. Recombinant human MMP-2 is a 62.0 kDa protein containing the entire catalytic N-terminal domain and the C-terminal domain (552 amino acids).

Description: FGF basic (FGF2) is a multipotential fibroblast growth factor that stimulates and supports proliferation, migration and differentiation. Mouse FGF basic (FGF-2) Recombinant Protein is purified FGF basic (FGF-2) produced in yeast.

Description: Interleukin-2 (IL-2) is a cytokine produced by T-helper cells in response to antigenic or mitogenic stimulation. It is required for T-cell proliferation and other activities crucial to the regulation of the immune response. Chicken IL-2 Recombinant Protein is purified interleukin-2 produced in yeast.