Novel human interleukin 4, expression vector for human interleukin 4, and transformants containing same

摘要

The present invention provides novel human interleukin 4 (IL4) having immune-activating effects, which is characterized by (a) a total molecular weight of 17000 to 19000, and (b) a sugar chain molecular weight of 2000 to 4000; and also provides novel expression vectors for the human IL4 which comprises: (i) a DNA sequence encoding human interleukin 4 at a position downstream from an SV40 early promoter, and (ii) a DNA sequence encoding dihydrofolate reductase at a position downstream from a promoter operating in eukaryotic cells; and further provides transformants obtained by transfecting dihydrofolate reductase-defective Chinese hamster ovary cells with the expression vector for human IL4. The human IL4 is useful for the treatment and prevention of cancer, infections, AIDS, functional immune deficiency etc.