Interleukin 12

:"For Il-12, see also: Ilyushin Il-12"protein
Name = Human Interleukin 12
caption = Crystal structure of human IL-12

---

width = 200
HGNCid =
Symbol = IL12
AltSymbols =
EntrezGene =
RefSeq =
UniProt =
PDB = 1F45
Chromosome =
Arm =
Band =
LocusSupplementaryData = protein
Name = interleukin 12A
caption =


width =
HGNCid = 5969
Symbol = IL12A
AltSymbols = CLMF1, NKSF1, p35
EntrezGene = 3592
OMIM = 161560
RefSeq = NM_000882
UniProt = P29459
PDB =
ECnumber =
Chromosome = 3
Arm = p
Band = 12
LocusSupplementaryData = -q13.2protein
Name = interleukin 12B
caption = Crystal structure of IL-12B

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width = 200
HGNCid = 5970
Symbol = IL12B
AltSymbols = CLMF2, NKSF2, p40
EntrezGene = 3593
OMIM = 161561
RefSeq = NM_002187
UniProt = P29460
PDB = 1F42
ECnumber =
Chromosome = 5
Arm = q
Band = 31.1
LocusSupplementaryData = -33.1

Interleukin 12 (IL-12) is an interleukin that is naturally produced by dendritic cells [cite journal |author=Kaliński P, Hilkens CM, Snijders A, Snijdewint FG, Kapsenberg ML |title=IL-12-deficient dendritic cells, generated in the presence of prostaglandin E2, promote type 2 cytokine production in maturing human naive T helper cells |journal=J. Immunol. |volume=159 |issue=1 |pages=28–35 |year=1997 |pmid=9200435 |doi=] , macrophages and human B-lymphoblastoid cells (NC-37) in response to antigenic stimulation.

Gene and structure

IL-12 is composed of a bundle of four alpha helices. It is a heterodimeric cytokine encoded by two separate genes, IL-12A (p35) and IL-12B (p40). The active heterodimer, and a homodimer of p40 are formed following protein synthesis.

Functions

IL-12 is involved in the differentiation of naive T cells into Th1 cells, which is important in resistance against pathogens. It is known as a T cell stimulating factor, which can stimulate the growth and function of T cells. It stimulates the production of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) from T and natural killer (NK) cells, and reduces IL-4 mediated suppression of IFN-γ. T cells which produce IL-12 have a coreceptor, CD30, which is associated with IL-12 activity.

IL-12 plays an important role in the activities of natural killer cells and T lymphocytes. IL-12 mediates enhancement of the cytotoxic activity of NK cells and CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes. There also seems to be a link between IL-2 and the signal transduction of IL-12 in NK cells. IL-2 stimulates the expression of two IL-12 receptors, IL-12R-β1 and IL-12R-β2, maintaining the expression of a critical protein involved in IL-12 signaling in NK cells. Enhanced functional response is demonstrated by IFN-γ production and killing of target cells.

IL-12 also has anti-angiogenic activity, which means it can block the formation of new blood vessels. It does this by increasing production of interferon gamma, which in turn increases the production of a chemokine called inducible protein-10 (IP-10 or CXCL10). IP-10 then mediates this anti-angiogenic effect. Because of its ability to induce immune responses and its anti-angiogenic activity, there has been an interest in testing IL-12 as a possible anti-cancer drug. However, it has not been shown to have substantial activity in the tumors tested to this date. There is a link that may be useful in treatment between IL-12 and the diseases psoriasis and inflammatory bowel disease.

ignal transduction

IL-12 binds to the IL-12 receptor, which is a heterodimeric receptor formed by IL-12R-β1 and IL-12R-β2. IL-12R-β2 is considered to play a key role in IL-12 function, since it is found on activated T cells and is stimulated by cytokines that promote Th1 cells development and inhibited by those that promote Th2 cells development. Upon binding, IL-12R-β2 becomes tyrosine phosphorylated and provides binding sites for kinases, Tyk2 and Jak2. These are important in activating critical transcription factor proteins such as STAT4 which are implicated in IL-12 signaling in T cells and NK cells. This pathway is known as the JAK-STAT pathway. [Kathy S. Wang, David A. Frank, and Jerome Ritz. Blood, Vol 95 No. 10 pp. 3183:3190 "Interleukin-2 enhances the response of natural killer cells to interleukin-12 through up-regulation of the interleukin-12 receptor and STAT4".]

IL-12 and autoimmunity

IL-12 is linked with autoimmunity. Administration of IL-12 to people suffering from autoimmune diseases was shown to worsen the autoimmune phenomena. This is believed to be due to its key role in induction of Th1 immune responses. In contrast, IL-12 gene knock-out in mice or a treatment of mice with IL-12 specific antibodies ameliorated the disease.

ee also

* CNTO 1275

References