Interleukin-17 (IL-17A) is a cytokine secreted exclusively by activated T-cells. The human IL-17A gene product is a protein of 150 amino acids with a molecular weight of 15 kDa, and is secreted as a disulfide linked homodimer of 30–35 kDa glycoprotein. Five related cytokines were identified, through database searches and degenerative RT-PCR, that share 20–50% homology to IL-17. IL-17 has been designated IL-17A to indicate that it is the founding member of the IL-17 cytokine family. The shared features of the IL-17 cytokine family include conserved cysteines which, in IL-17F, have been shown to exhibit the features of a classic cystine knot structural motif found in bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), transforming growth factor beta (TGF-_), nerve growth factor (NGF) and platelet-derived growth factor BB (PDGF-BB). IL-17F, like IL-17A, is produced primarily in activated T-cells. In contrast, IL-17B, IL-17C, IL-17D, and IL-17E are expressed in a wide assortment of tissues. Their functions partially overlap those of IL-17A, although they have not been as thoroughly investigated.

Store lyophilized antibody at 4°C if intended for use within one month, otherwise store at -20 °C to -80 °C. The lyophilized antibody is stable for at least 18 months after the date of receipt when stored at -20°C to -80°C. After reconstitution, the antibody can be aliquoted and stored frozen at -20°C to -80°C in a manual defrost freezer for at least 6 months or 1 month at 4°C without detectable loss of activity. Please avoid freeze-thaw cycles as this will lower the activity of the antibody.