Interleukin-12(IL-12)isapleiotropiccytokine,formerlytermedcytotoxiclymphocytematurationfactor(CLMF)ornaturalkillercellstimulatoryfactor(NKSF),whichisproducedprimarilybystimulatedmacrophages.IL-12exertsavarietyof
BIOLOGicaleffectsonhumanTandnaturalkillercells.ApartfrompromotionofTh1developmentandits
ABIlitytopromotecytolyticactivityitmediatessomeofitsphysiologicalactivitiesbyactingasapotentinducerofinterferon(IFN)gammaproductionandthestimulationofothercytokinesfromperipheralbloodTandNKcells,.IFN-gthenenhancestheabilityofthephagocyticcellstoproduceIL-12andotherproinflammatorycytokines.Thus,IL-12inducedIFN-gactsinapositivefeedbackloopthatrepresentsanimportantamplifyingmechanismintheinflammatoryresponsetoinfections.ItsroleindirectingdevelopmentofaTh1typeimmuneresponsefromnaiveTcellsdemonstratesitscriticalroleinregulationoftheimmuneresponseandstronglysuggestsitspotentialusefulnessincancertherapy.IL-12isadisulfide-linkedheterodimericcytokinecomposedofa35kDalightchain(p35)anda40kDaheavychain(p40)resultingintheonlybiologicallyactive70kDa(p70)formofIL-12.Thep40subunitcanalsoformahomodimerwhichhasbeenshowntobeabletobindtheIL-12receptorandthusactsasanIL-12antago
NIST.Additionally,thep40subunithasbeenfoundtobeexpressedinahighexcessoverp70.ThecriticalroleofIL-12inseveralpathogeneseshasbeenshown.Increasedplasmalevelswerefoundneurologicaldisorders.Significantelevationsweremeasuredinautisticpatients,andinmultiplesclerosispatients.HighlevelsofIL-12havealsobeenreportedforautoimmunediseasesandchronicinflammatoryreactions,suchasinsynovialfluidofpatientswithosteoarthritis,rheumatoidarthritisand
SEROnegativespondylarthropathies,inSjogren"ssyndromepatientsandatherosclerosis.ChangesintheexpressinglevelsofIL-12arereportedforalargenumberofbothbacterialandviralinfectionssuchasobstructivejaundice,septicshock,infectionwithMycobacteriumtuberculosis,HIVinfection.Interleukin-12alsoplaysacrucialroleinallograftrejectionandselectedinflammatoryskinlesions.
Synonyms:Cytotoxiclymphocytematurationfactor,CLMF,NKcellstimulatoryfactor,NKSF1
Synonyms:Cytokinesynthesisinhibitoryfactor,CSIF
ForconcretedatapleaseconsulttheInstructionforUseinthedownloadboxontherightside.