Interferon-γ (IFN-γ) is the sole member of the type II interferon category. It is a potent multifunctional cytokine involved in both the innate and adaptive (especially cell-mediated) arms of immunity. It is secreted largely by activated lymphocytes, in particular, CD4+ Th1 cells, CD8+ cytotoxic cells, and NK cells.

Human IFN-γ is expressed as a pre-cursor protein with a signaling peptide which is cleaved to produce the mature protein of ~17 kD. Its active form is a homodimer, linked by anti-parallel non-covalent interactions between the six α-helices of each monomer. The receptor for IFN-γ is also a homodimer, with α & β subunits (IFNGR1 and IFNGR2, respectively). IFN-γ binds to IFNGR1 very specifically, and the subsequent interaction of IFNGR1 with IFNGR2 activates the Jak/Stat pathway for signal transduction and, ultimately, transcription of effector genes. Rat IFN-γ has 87% amino acid identity with mouse IFN-γ and 39% identity with the human protein. As such, rat IFN-γ can activate mouse cells but not human cells.

Originally characterized based on anti-viral properties, IFN-γ also exerts anti-microbial, anti-tumor, immunomodulatory, and pro-inflammatory activities. It is unique among the interferons for its ability to coordinate the transition from innate to adaptive immunity. Among its more significant roles, IFN-γ stimulates macrophage effector functions. It is also the major player in inducing Th1 cell differentiation and provides a positive feedback loop in response to IL-12 stimulation in defining Th1 cells.


BioLegend's LEGEND MAX™ Rat IFN-γ ELISA Kit is a sandwich Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA), in which, a rat IFN-γ-specific monoclonal antibody is pre-coated on a 96-well strip-well plate.

BioLegend's LEGEND MAX™ Rat IFN-γ ELISA Kit is specifically designed for the accurate quantitation of rat IFN-γ from cell culture supernatant, serum, plasma or other bodily fluids. It is ready-to-use, accurate, and sensitive.