Abstract
Cytokines are critical coordinators of the immune response necessary for resolving bacterial and viral assaults on the immune system. In particular, the IL-12 family of cytokines are key players in the regulation of T cell responses. These responses are orchestrated by monocytes, macrophages, and dendritic cells which produce the members of the IL- 12 family of cytokines in response to infection. IL-27 and IL-23 are two cytokines that are related to IL-12; these cytokines share homology at the subunit, receptor, and signalling levels. IL-12 is composed of p35 and p40 subunits, which, when combined together form the bioactive IL-12p70. IL-23 is composed of the IL-12p40 subunit as well as the IL-23p19 subunit, which shares homology with IL-12p35. IL-27 is composed of EBI3 and p28. These three cytokines activate similar members of the JAK/STAT signalling pathways as a result of homology in their receptor components. Production of these cytokines by activated monocytes, macrophages, and dendritic cells results in the activation and differentiation of T cells. In spite of their similarity, each of these cytokines has specific roles in the regulation of immune responses. IL-12 is required for the induction of IFN-γ production, critical for the induction of Th1 cells. IL-27 has been shown to play a role in the induction of Th1 cells from naive T cells, whereas IL-23 has been demonstrated to play a key role in the induction of the newly described Th17 cells. Recently, a novel heterodimeric and anti-inflammatory cytokine composed of the IL- 12p35 and EBI3 subunits has been identified as IL-35. The biological properties of the IL-12 family of cytokines, the signalling pathways mediated by these cytokines and their role in infection, inflammation, and autoimmune diseases will be the focus of this review.
Keywords: Cytokines, Inflammation, Autoimmune Disorders, T cell, homology
Inflammation & Allergy - Drug Targets (Discontinued)
Title: The IL-12 Family of Cytokines in Infection, Inflammation and Autoimmune Disorders
Volume: 8 Issue: 1
Author(s): Katrina Gee, Christina Guzzo, Nor Fazila Che Mat, Wei Ma and Ashok Kumar
Affiliation:
Keywords: Cytokines, Inflammation, Autoimmune Disorders, T cell, homology
Abstract: Cytokines are critical coordinators of the immune response necessary for resolving bacterial and viral assaults on the immune system. In particular, the IL-12 family of cytokines are key players in the regulation of T cell responses. These responses are orchestrated by monocytes, macrophages, and dendritic cells which produce the members of the IL- 12 family of cytokines in response to infection. IL-27 and IL-23 are two cytokines that are related to IL-12; these cytokines share homology at the subunit, receptor, and signalling levels. IL-12 is composed of p35 and p40 subunits, which, when combined together form the bioactive IL-12p70. IL-23 is composed of the IL-12p40 subunit as well as the IL-23p19 subunit, which shares homology with IL-12p35. IL-27 is composed of EBI3 and p28. These three cytokines activate similar members of the JAK/STAT signalling pathways as a result of homology in their receptor components. Production of these cytokines by activated monocytes, macrophages, and dendritic cells results in the activation and differentiation of T cells. In spite of their similarity, each of these cytokines has specific roles in the regulation of immune responses. IL-12 is required for the induction of IFN-γ production, critical for the induction of Th1 cells. IL-27 has been shown to play a role in the induction of Th1 cells from naive T cells, whereas IL-23 has been demonstrated to play a key role in the induction of the newly described Th17 cells. Recently, a novel heterodimeric and anti-inflammatory cytokine composed of the IL- 12p35 and EBI3 subunits has been identified as IL-35. The biological properties of the IL-12 family of cytokines, the signalling pathways mediated by these cytokines and their role in infection, inflammation, and autoimmune diseases will be the focus of this review.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Gee Katrina, Guzzo Christina, Che Mat Fazila Nor, Ma Wei and Kumar Ashok, The IL-12 Family of Cytokines in Infection, Inflammation and Autoimmune Disorders, Inflammation & Allergy - Drug Targets (Discontinued) 2009; 8 (1) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/187152809787582507
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/187152809787582507 |
Print ISSN 1871-5281 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 2212-4055 |
Related Articles
-
The Cancer Hygiene Hypothesis: From Theory to Therapeutic Helminths
Current Cancer Therapy Reviews Discovery of Potent Bruton’s Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors Using Ligand Based Modeling
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry The AKT Axis as a Therapeutic Target in Autoimmune Diseases
Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Disorders - Drug Targets The Yin and Yang of Non-Neuronal α7-Nicotinic Receptors in Inflammation and Autoimmunity
Current Drug Targets Recent Patents on the Treatment of Type 1 Diabetes
Recent Patents on Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Drug Discovery (Discontinued) Models of Antigen Receptor Activation in the Design of Vaccines
Current Pharmaceutical Design CD26 / Dipeptidyl Peptidase IV: A Regulator of Immune Function and a Potential Molecular Target for Therapy
Current Drug Targets - Immune, Endocrine & Metabolic Disorders Modifying TNF alpha for Therapeutic Use A Perspective on the TNF Receptor System
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry Neuropeptides as Therapeutic Approach to Autoimmune Diseases
Current Pharmaceutical Design Characterization of Regulatory T-Cells in Multiple Sclerosis Patients Treated with Interferon Beta-1a
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets Inhibitors of Membrane Receptors Involved with Leukocyte Extravasation
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry IL-27: Friend or Foe in the Autoimmune Diseases
Current Immunology Reviews (Discontinued) Chronic Inflammation and Oxidative Stress as a Major Cause of Age- Related Diseases and Cancer
Recent Patents on Inflammation & Allergy Drug Discovery The Impact of Fc Receptors on the Development of Autoimmune Diseases
Current Pharmaceutical Design Phosphoinositide 3-Kinase Gamma (PI3Kγ) Inhibitors for the Treatment of Inflammation and Autoimmune Disease
Recent Patents on Inflammation & Allergy Drug Discovery Interferon gama induced Tryptophan Degradation Neuropsychiatric and Immunological Consequences
Current Drug Metabolism Methotrexate: A Drug of the Future in Ulcerative Colitis?
Current Drug Targets NLRP3 Inhibitors as Potential Therapeutic Agents for Treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Current Pharmaceutical Design A Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship Study on Some Series of Potassium Channel Blockers
Medicinal Chemistry Role of Positron Emission Tomography for Central Nervous System Involvement in Systemic Autoimmune Diseases: Status and Perspectives
Current Medicinal Chemistry