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Interleukin‐12
Author(s) -
Michael J. Brunda
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
journal of leukocyte biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.819
H-Index - 191
eISSN - 1938-3673
pISSN - 0741-5400
DOI - 10.1002/jlb.55.2.280
Subject(s) - biology , cytokine , lymphokine , interleukin 12 , immunology , lymphokine activated killer cell , interleukin 21 , cancer research , immune system , t cell , cytotoxic t cell , in vitro , biochemistry
Interleukin‐12 (IL‐12) is a newly characterized cytokine that has a unique heterodimeric structure. It was initially cloned from B lymphoblastoid cell lines, but the majority of IL‐12 is produced by macrophages/monocytes following appropriate stimulation. IL‐12 can (1) enhance the cytolytic activity of a number of effector cells including T cells, natural killer (NK) cells, lymphokine activated killer (LAK) cells, and macrophages, (2) increase proliferation of activated NK and T cells, (3) induce production of cytokines, such as interferon gamma, (4) stimulate the induction of ThI cells, (5) upregulate a number of cell surface molecules, (6) inhibit IgE secretion, and (7) act as a synergistic factor for hematopoietic stem cells. Based on these potent immunomodulatory activities, IL‐12 has been evaluated in several disease models for parasitic infections and malignancies. Marked activity of IL‐12 against both Lcishmania and Toxoplasma has been reported. Likewise, antimetastatic and antitumor activity, including tumor regression, has been observed against a number of murine malignancies treated with IL‐12 using doses that result in little toxicity. The results suggest that IL‐12 may be a useful cytokine for the treatment of a number of diseases. J. Leukoc. Biol. 55: 280–288; 1994.