IL-31 is a 24 kD cytokine belonging to the IL-6 cytokine family.
It is secreted by activated T cells, and memory T cells with capacity to produce IL-31 have been shown to be particularly abundant in the skin where they may contribute to inflammation. The receptor for IL-31 is found on e.g. keratinocytes, endothelial cells and can be upregulated on activated monocytes.
IL-31 is considered as a Th2 type cytokine but with different functions than IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13. In transgenic mice overexpressing IL-31, the cytokine induces pruritus and dermatitis resembling human atopic dermatitis (AD). In human, IL-31 has been associated with AD, atopic and contact allergies and airway hypersensitivity but also inflammatory bowel disease.
ELISA kit for quantitative determination of native and recombinant human IL-31 in cell culture supernatants. The kit contains capture mAbs, biotinylated detection mAb, streptavidin-enzyme conjugate ALP and a cytokine standard. The determination of IL-31 in human serum/plasma samples by this kit requires the use of ELISA diluent (code: 3652-D2) for dilution of samples, standard and detection antibody.