Description: This DNT15Ra antibody reacts with the alpha subunit of the Mouse IL-15 Receptor. The IL-15 Receptor alpha subunit is unique to IL-15, while the other two subunits of the receptor, beta and gamma, are shared with IL-2. IL-15R signaling is mediated by Jak/STAT pathways, and results in the activation of neutrophils, dendritic cells, and macrophages. IL-15 has also been found to play a critical role in the development and survival of NK cells and CD8+ T cells.
Although high levels of mouse IL-15 mRNA have been observed in many cell types, free IL-15 is rarely detectable in biological samples. Recent research suggests that IL-15 is retained inside the cell and only secreted in complex with IL-15 Receptor alpha. This chaperoning is necessary from the ER to the Golgi, through secretion. The cytokine/receptor complex may stay bound to the cell surface, where it can be trans-presented to cells expressing the beta-gamma subunits of the receptor, or can be secreted in a soluble form lacking the transmembrane domain of IL-15 Receptor alpha. IL-15 and IL-15 Receptor alpha are expressed by dendritic cells and macrophages in response to inflammatory stimuli.
Our testing suggests that there may be strain differences in expression and staining of the Mouse IL-15 Receptor alpha. This DNT15Ra antibody has been tested on cells from C57Bl/6 mice. Staining has also been observed with this antibody after pre-incubation of NK cells with exogenous Mouse IL-15/IL-15R Complex, suggesting that DNT15Ra will recognize both Mouse IL-15 Receptor alpha and the Mouse IL-15/IL-15R Complex.