Anti-Mouse IL-4 (Clone 11B11) – Purified in vivo GOLD™ Functional Grade

Clone 11B11 is a monoclonal antibody directed against mouse interleukin-4 (IL-4) and is commonly used in vivo in mice to neutralize IL-4 activity in order to study its role in immune regulation and disease models.

Key in vivo applications include:

• Neutralization of IL-4 in living mice to investigate the function of this cytokine in various immunological processes, such as allergic responses, infection, autoimmunity, and Th2-mediated diseases.
• Experimental blockade of IL-4 signaling during disease or immune challenge, which helps determine the contribution of IL-4 to pathology or immune response (e.g., treatment regimens may include regular intraperitoneal injections with 11B11 to achieve sustained IL-4 blockade).
• Mechanistic studies in model systems for diseases such as asthma, helminth infection, or experimental autoimmune disorders, where IL-4 is implicated in driving disease phenotypes.

Additional common research uses of 11B11 in vivo:

• Characterizing the switch between Th1 and Th2 immune responses.
• Preventing class switching to IgE or modulating antibody production.
• Studying effects on eosinophilia and tissue inflammation in allergic models.
• Dissecting the role of IL-4 in cytokine signaling cascades and downstream events (e.g., STAT6 activation).

Summary table of common in vivo applications of clone 11B11 in mice:

Clone 11B11 may also be used in vitro for ELISA, ELISPOT, and flow cytometry, but its distinctive value in vivo is as a functional grade antibody for blocking endogenous IL-4 activity in live mice, with validated low endotoxin formulations available for preclinical use.

Commonly used antibodies or proteins paired with 11B11 (anti-mouse IL-4) in the literature include antibodies targeting other Th2 cytokines and molecules involved in related immune pathways. Specifically, these often include:

• Anti-IL-5 antibodies: Frequently used with 11B11 to delineate the contributions of different Th2 cytokines in allergic inflammation and asthma models, since IL-5 is another canonical Th2 cytokine implicated in eosinophil activation.
• Anti-IL-13 antibodies: Used alongside 11B11 due to overlapping and distinct roles of IL-13 and IL-4 in regulating airway inflammation, B cell class switching, and tissue remodeling in Th2 responses.
• Anti-IFN-γ antibodies: Occasionally included in panels to assess the balance between Th1 (IFN-γ) and Th2 (IL-4) cytokine responses, especially in studies exploring polarization and immune regulation.
• Detection antibodies for IL-4 (such as biotinylated BVD6-24G2): In ELISA and ELISPOT assays, 11B11 is typically the capture antibody, while a different anti-IL-4 (such as BVD6-24G2) serves as the detection antibody.

These combinations are common in several research applications:

• Multiplex cytokine neutralization in vivo and in vitro
• ELISA/ELISPOT sandwich assays for quantification of IL-4 protein levels
• Flow cytometry panels for the analysis of intracellular and secreted cytokines (often with anti-IL-5, anti-IL-13, and anti-IFN-γ).

Key related molecules also discussed in the context of IL-4/11B11 include:

• IL-4Rα (Interleukin-4 receptor alpha): Since IL-4 shares the IL-4Rα chain with IL-13, studies sometimes examine both cytokines’ signaling through this receptor.
• STAT6: As a critical IL-4/IL-13 downstream signaling molecule, anti-STAT6 antibodies and related assays are used in mechanistic studies.

Summary Table: Key Antibodies/Proteins Used with 11B11

These antibodies and proteins, when used together, enable detailed dissection of Th2 cytokine functions, immune cell polarization, and cytokine signaling networks in mouse models.

Clone 11B11 is a monoclonal antibody that specifically binds to and neutralizes mouse interleukin-4 (IL-4), and has been extensively cited for its utility in immunological research, especially in dissecting Th2 responses, antibody class switching, and allergic inflammation.

Key scientific findings from 11B11 citations include:

• Neutralization of IL-4 Bioactivity: 11B11 effectively blocks the biological actions of natural and recombinant IL-4 both in vitro and in vivo. This has made it a principal tool for studying IL-4-dependent biological processes and diseases, particularly those associated with Th2 cell immunity and allergic asthma.

• Impact on Immunoglobulin Class Switching: Neutralizing IL-4 with 11B11 inhibits B cell class switching to IgE, a process critical in allergic responses. Studies consistently cite its use to dissect the role of IL-4 in promoting IgE production and regulating other immunoglobulin classes.

• Modulation of Immune Responses:

  • IL-4 promotes Th2 differentiation, upregulates MHC class II expression, and suppresses Th1 responses, macrophage activation, IFNγ production, and IL-12 from dendritic cells. Using 11B11 has shown suppression of these IL-4-driven effects, helping define IL-4's role in immune polarization and allergic inflammation.
  • Blocking IL-4 signaling with 11B11 has demonstrated significant reduction in airway inflammation in mouse models of asthma and allergy.

• Enhancement of Vaccine Efficacy: Research shows that blocking IL-4 (using clone 11B11) can potentiate vaccine effectiveness, in part by shifting antibody responses toward protective isotypes (e.g., increased IgG2a and IgG3 production) that are otherwise suppressed by IL-4. Neutralization leads to improved outcomes in models of infection, substance abuse vaccines, and parasitic immunity.

• Experimental Versatility: 11B11 is widely cited for in vivo functional inhibition, flow cytometry, ELISA, ELISPOT, immunohistochemistry, intracellular staining, and in studies involving IL-4's downstream signaling pathways (e.g., via STAT6).

• Insights into Regulatory Mechanisms: Research using 11B11 has helped clarify gene regulation within the cytokine cluster on mouse chromosome 5, illustrating the coordinated expression of IL-4 with IL-13 and IL-5, and the functional overlap between these cytokines.

In summary, clone 11B11 is recognized as a critical reagent for unraveling the biological and pathological roles of IL-4 in mouse models, especially in studies of Th2 immunity, allergy, asthma, immunoglobulin class switching, and vaccine development.

Dosing regimens of clone 11B11, an anti-mouse IL-4 monoclonal antibody, vary significantly across different mouse models depending on the disease context, experimental objectives, and target outcomes. The antibody functions as a neutralizing agent against IL-4, and its administration protocols have been optimized for specific therapeutic applications.

Tumor Models

In cancer research, particularly in HER2-positive tumor models, 11B11 is administered at relatively high doses with frequent intervals. Studies using the D5-HER2 tumor model employed dosing every five days for a total of six doses, often in combination with trastuzumab therapy. The standard dosing recommendation for tumor models is 1 mg per mouse intraperitoneally every 4-5 days. This frequent dosing schedule appears necessary to maintain sustained IL-4 neutralization within the tumor microenvironment, where IL-4 promotes recruitment of immunosuppressive myeloid cells and alternatively activated macrophages.

Infectious Disease Models

Dosing requirements differ substantially in infection models. In studies examining resistance to Listeria monocytogenes, mice received lower doses ranging from 0.01 to 0.4 mg of anti-IL-4 mAb before bacterial challenge, which successfully reduced peak bacterial burden. This suggests that prophylactic or early intervention strategies in infectious disease contexts may require less frequent dosing compared to established tumor models.

Autoimmune Disease Models

For chronic autoimmune conditions like type 1 diabetes in NOD mice, 11B11 follows a much more spaced dosing schedule. Based on observations that the antibody does not induce the same long-term anergy as αGalCer, researchers implemented dosing every 6 weeks in NOD diabetes incidence studies. This extended interval reflects both the antibody's sustained biological activity and the chronic nature of autoimmune disease progression.

Vaccine Efficacy Studies

In vaccine research, particularly for substance use disorder vaccines, 11B11 administration protocols vary based on the immunization schedule. Studies investigating oxycodone vaccines combined the antibody with vaccine administration at multiple timepoints to modulate the immune response toward IgG2a production rather than IL-4-driven IgG1 responses.

Dose Flexibility and Optimization

The dosing of 11B11 demonstrates considerable flexibility, with adjustments made based on mouse strain, genetic background, and specific experimental endpoints. Some protocols employ an initial depletion dose of 50 μg injected intraperitoneally for iNKT cell studies, while others use repeated high-dose regimens exceeding 1 mg per injection for sustained IL-4 neutralization in tumor settings. The route of administration also matters, with intraperitoneal injection being the most common route for neutralizing antibody studies, though intravenous administration has been explored in specific contexts.