ABM Reagents

<h2 data-section-id="pdko8n" data-start="0" data-end="50">What are recombinant proteins for cell culture?</h2>
&nbsp;
Recombinant proteins for cell culture are biologically active growth factors, cytokines, and signaling molecules produced using recombinant DNA technology to control specific cellular functions in vitro. Growth factors such as FGF (fibroblast growth factor), EGF (epidermal growth factor), and TGF-&beta; (transforming growth factor beta) regulate cell growth, proliferation, survival, and differentiation. Cytokines including IL-2, IL-7, IL-15, and IL-21 influence immune cell activation, expansion, and function. These proteins are widely used in serum-free and chemically defined media, stem cell and iPSC culture, immune cell expansion, organoid development, hybridoma production, and cell and gene therapy workflows where precise control over cellular signaling is required.
&nbsp;
<h2 dir="ltr">What you will find:</h2>
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Includes cytokines, chemokines, growth factors, and signaling proteins to support proliferation, differentiation, and maintenance of&nbsp;mammalian cells</li>
<li>Rat, human, and mouse recombinant proteins compatible with translational research models and diverse mammalian cell culture&nbsp;</li>
<li>Optimizing cell metabolic activity, signalling pathways, and experimental reproducibility in vitro using recombinant proteins&nbsp;</li>
<li>Suitable for organoid development, expansion of cells, activation of immune cells, neuronal studies, and protein expression workflow optimization.</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
<h2 data-section-id="4x59d8" data-start="1050" data-end="1118">How to choose recombinant proteins, cytokines, and growth factors</h2>
&nbsp;
Quality grade: RUO vs. preclinical vs. GMP
Research-use-only (RUO) proteins are suitable for most academic and industrial research applications. Preclinical-grade proteins provide enhanced documentation and quality control for studies supporting clinical development. GMP-grade proteins are manufactured under controlled quality systems with complete traceability and lot-to-lot bioactivity verification, making them appropriate for cell therapy, gene therapy, and other regulated applications.
Expression system and post-translational modifications
The production system can significantly affect protein activity. HEK293 and other mammalian expression systems preserve native human post-translational modifications such as glycosylation and phosphorylation, which are often necessary for full biological function. Bacterial expression systems such as E. coli may offer lower cost and higher yields but cannot reproduce many of these modifications.
Carrier-free formulation
Carrier-free recombinant proteins are formulated without stabilizing proteins such as bovine serum albumin (BSA). This eliminates potential experimental interference from carrier proteins and supports serum-free, animal-component-free, and GMP-compatible workflows. Carrier-free formulations are especially important when studying sensitive signaling pathways or developing clinical manufacturing processes.
Endotoxin level and purity
Endotoxins can stimulate inflammatory responses and alter cell behavior, particularly in immune cell cultures. For T-cell expansion, stem cell culture, and other sensitive applications, low-endotoxin or endotoxin-free proteins with documented purity above 95% are preferred to ensure reproducible results.
Stability format: standard vs. thermostable
Standard recombinant proteins gradually lose activity during prolonged incubation at 37&deg;C. Thermostable variants, such as engineered FGF2 formulations, maintain biological activity for longer periods and reduce the need for frequent media supplementation. These products can improve workflow efficiency in stem cell maintenance and differentiation protocols.
Storage and reconstitution
Lyophilized recombinant proteins offer extended shelf life and are typically stored frozen until use. After reconstitution, proteins should be aliquoted into single-use portions whenever possible to minimize repeated freeze-thaw cycles that can reduce activity. Proper storage conditions vary by product and should follow the manufacturer's recommendations.
<h2 data-section-id="rxnuuy" data-start="3659" data-end="3704">&nbsp;</h2>
<h2 data-section-id="1fljvas" data-start="4451" data-end="4476">Specifications context</h2>
&nbsp;
Modern recombinant cytokines and growth factors are available in a wide range of formats including carrier-free, low-endotoxin, animal-component-free, and GMP-grade formulations. Many GMP-grade cytokines such as IL-2, IL-7, IL-15, and IL-21 undergo lot-specific bioactivity testing using validated reference standards to ensure consistent biological performance. Mammalian-cell-expressed proteins are increasingly preferred for applications requiring native structure and maximum biological activity.
As of 2026, carrier-free, low-endotoxin recombinant proteins produced in mammalian expression systems have become the preferred choice for stem cell culture, immune cell expansion, organoid development, and advanced biomanufacturing workflows.
For basal media used alongside recombinant proteins, see Classic Media. For additional supplementation reagents, see Cell Culture Supplements &amp; Additives. Browse Mammalian Cell Culture for the broader category.
<a href="https://mbpinc.net/contact-us">Contact the expert team</a> at MBP today and get optimized recombinant proteins for your lab.

Recombinant Proteins

MSDS

Growth Factor-eFlyer

Growth Factors and Cytokines-Brochure

Growth Factors and Cytokines-FAQ

Role of Growth Factors in Cell Differentiation-Poster

Recombinant Human Cardiotrophin-1 (CT-1)

Recombinant Human Cardiotrophin-1 (Z102365) by ABM. CTF1, 21 kDa, >95% purity, E. coli. ED50 ≤0.5 ng/mL. Cardiac hypertrophy, STAT3 signaling, and neuroprotection research. Available in 10 µg (Z102365), 100 µg (Z102367), 1.0 mg (Z102369).

Organism

Family

Aliases

Gene Symbol

Gene ID

Accession Number

Source

Species

Appearance

Molecular Weight

Endotoxin Level

Purity

Formulation

Function

Reconstitution

Storage

Usage

Manufacturer

Shipping Condition

Storage Condition

Recombinant Human Cardiotrophin-1 (CT-1), 10 µg

Recombinant Human Cardiotrophin-1 (CT-1), 100 µg

Recombinant Human Cardiotrophin-1 (CT-1), 1.0 mg

Recombinant Human CCL2

The Recombinant Human CCL2 (MCP-1) by Applied Biological Materials (ABM) is a tag-free, E. coli-expressed CC chemokine at &gt;95% purity, for monocyte recruitment, inflammation, and tumor microenvironment research. Available in 20 µg (Z100625), 100 µg (Z100627), and 1.0 mg (Z100629).

Recombinant Human CCL2, 20 µg

Recombinant Human CCL2, 100 µg

Recombinant Human CCL2, 1.0 mg

Recombinant Human CCL21

The Recombinant Human CCL21 by ABM is a tag-free, E. coli-expressed lyophilized chemokine, 12 kDa, >95% pure, endotoxin &lt;1.0 EU/µg, with CCR7-mediated lymphocyte chemoattraction at 10–100 ng/mL. Available in 20 µg (Z100195), 100 µg (Z100197), and 1.0 mg (Z100199).

Recombinant Human CCL21, 20 µg

Recombinant Human CCL21, 100 µg

Recombinant Human CCL21, 1.0 mg

Recombinant Human CCL22

The Recombinant Human CCL22 by Applied Biological Materials (ABM) is a tag-free, E. coli-expressed CC chemokine (MDC) at &gt;95% purity, for CCR4-mediated Treg and Th2 cell recruitment and tumor immune evasion research. Available in 20 µg (Z101015) and 1.0 mg (Z101019).

Recombinant Human CCL22, 20 µg

Recombinant Human CCL22, 1.0 mg

Recombinant Human CCL25

Recombinant Human CCL25 (TECK), catalog Z101525 by ABM. E. coli-expressed, 14 kDa, >95% purity, lyophilized. Bioactive CC-chemokine that signals through CCR9 to direct T-cell and monocyte trafficking. Endotoxin &lt;1.0 EU/µg. Available in 20 µg (Z101525), 1.0 mg (Z101529).

Recombinant Human CCL25, 20 µg

Recombinant Human CCL25, 1.0 mg

Recombinant Human CCL3

The Recombinant Human CCL3 by ABM is Recombinant Human CCL3 (MIP-1α), 8 kDa, tag-free, expressed in E. coli. Purity &gt;95% by SDS-PAGE, endotoxin &lt;1.0 EU/µg, monocyte chemoattraction at 1.0–10.0 ng/mL. Available in 20 µg (Z100675), 100 µg (Z100677), and 1.0 mg (Z100679).

Recombinant Human CCL3, 20 µg

Recombinant Human CCL3, 100 µg

Recombinant Human CCL3, 1.0 mg

Recombinant Human CCL4

The Recombinant Human CCL4 by ABM is Recombinant Human CCL4 (MIP-1β), 8 kDa, tag-free, expressed in E. coli. Purity &gt;95% by SDS-PAGE, endotoxin &lt;1.0 EU/µg, ED50 &lt;0.2 ng/mL. Available in 10 µg (Z100685), 100 µg (Z100687), and 1.0 mg (Z100689).

Recombinant Human CCL4, 10 µg

Recombinant Human CCL4, 100 µg

Recombinant Human CCL4, 1.0 mg

Recombinant Human CD40 Ligand (CD40LG)

The Recombinant Human CD40 Ligand (CD40LG) by Applied Biological Materials (abm) is a tag-free, E. coli-expressed CD154/TNFSF5 protein at &gt;95% purity with ED50 &lt;5 ng/mL, for B cell activation and immune signaling research. Available in 50 µg (Z100125) and 1.0 mg (Z100129).

Recombinant Human CD40 Ligand (CD40LG), 50 µg

Recombinant Human CD40 Ligand (CD40LG), 1.0 mg

Recombinant Human Chemerin

Recombinant human Chemerin (Z102205) by ABM — 16 kDa, E. coli, &gt;95% purity, tag-free. Chemotaxis ED50 4–20 ng/mL on CMKLR1 cells for dendritic cell recruitment and adipogenesis research.

Recombinant Human Chemerin, 25 µg

Recombinant Human Chemerin, 1.0 mg

Recombinant Human CNTF

The Recombinant Human CNTF by ABM (Applied Biological Materials) is a recombinant cytokine that supports neuronal survival and differentiation. Available in 20 µg (Z100955), 100 µg (Z100957), and 1.0 mg (Z100959).

Recombinant Human CNTF, 20 µg

Recombinant Human CNTF, 100 µg

Recombinant Human CNTF, 1.0 mg

Recombinant Human CTACK (CCL27)

The recombinant human CTACK (CCL27) by Applied Biological Materials is expressed in E. coli and purified to >95% by SDS-PAGE. This 10.4 kDa skin-homing chemokine chemoattracts BaF3/CCR10 cells with an ED50 of 0.1–0.4 µg/mL. Endotoxin &lt;1.0 EU/µg; reconstitute at 100 µg/mL in sterile PBS with ≥0.1% HSA or BSA. Available in 20 µg (Z101885) and 1.0 mg (Z101889).

Recombinant Human CTACK (CCL27), 20 µg

Recombinant Human CTACK (CCL27), 1.0 mg

Recombinant Human CTGF

Recombinant human CTGF (Z102025) by ABM — 11.3 kDa, E. coli, &gt;95% purity, tag-free. HUVEC proliferation ED50 1.0–2.0 µg/mL for fibrosis and extracellular matrix research.