Description: The rat IL-4 is an ~14 kDa factor also known as BCDF, BCGF-1 and BSF-1. IL-4 is secreted by activated Th2 and natural killer T cells and to a lesser extent by Th1 and mast cells. IL-4 is species-specific and promotes proliferation and differentiation of B cells. IL-4, in conjunction with other signals such as CD40, induces Ig isotype switching of B cells and upregulation of surface MHC class II and CD23.