IFN-tau is also known as TP-1 (trophoblast protein-1) is a new class of type I IFN that is secreted by the trophoblast and is the signal for maternal recognition of pregnancy in sheep. IFN- tau has potent immunosuppressive and antiviral activities similar to other type I IFN but is less cytotoxic than IFN-alpha and IFN-beta. The current investigation concerns the effect of recombinant ovine IFN- tau (rOIFN- tau) on the modulation of MHC class I and II expression on cloned mouse cerebrovascular endothelial (CVE) cells.
IFN-tau induced tyrosine phosphorylation of Stat1 and upregulated the expression of MHC class I on CVE. One proposed action by which type I IFN reduces the relapse rate in MS is via interference with IFN-?-induced MHC class II expression. IFN- tau was shown to downregulate IFN-?-induced MHC class II expression on CVE and, hence, may be of potential therapeutic value in downregulating inflammation in the central nervous system (CNS). IFN- tau did not upregulate the expression of MHC class II on CVE. IFN- tau also inhibited the replication of Theiler's virus in CVE.
Interferon-Tau Ovine Recombinant produced in E.Coli is a single, non-glycosylated, polypeptide chain containing 172 amino acids and having a molecular mass of 19914.7 Dalton.
The IFN-Tau is purified by proprietary chromatographic techniques.