title: Selective expression of an interleukin-12 receptor component by human T helper 1 cells.
abstract: Interleukin-12 (IL-12), a heterodimeric cytokine produced by activated monocytes and dendritic cells, plays a crucial role in regulating interferon (IFN)-gamma production and in the generation of IFN-gamma-producing T helper 1 (Th1) cells. Here we show that the IL-12 receptor (IL-12R) beta 2 subunit, a recently cloned binding and signal transducing component of the IL-12R, is expressed on human Th1 but not Th2 clones and is induced during differentiation of human naive cells along the Th1 but not the Th2 pathway. IL-12 and type I but not type II interferons induce expression of the IL-12R beta 2 chain during in vitro T cell differentiation after antigen receptor triggering. The selective expression and regulation of the IL-12R beta 2 subunit may help to understand the basis of Th1/Th2 differentiation and may provide therapeutic options for altering the Th1/Th2 balance in several immuno-pathological conditions such as autoimmune diseases and allergies.
authors.affiliation: Roche Milano Ricerche, Italy.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rogge
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Barberis-Maino
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Biffi
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Passini
authors.forename: D H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Presky
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Gubler
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sinigaglia
mesh_terms: D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002999:Clone Cells; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000166:cytology; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000494:pharmacology; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis; D018664:Interleukin-12 / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D010766:Phosphorylation; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D018123:Receptors, Interleukin / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D053707:Receptors, Interleukin-12; D050797:STAT4 Transcription Factor; D015398:Signal Transduction; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000187:drug effects; D015534:Trans-Activators / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D018123:Receptors, Interleukin; D053707:Receptors, Interleukin-12; D050797:STAT4 Transcription Factor; C494090:STAT4 protein, human; D015534:Trans-Activators; D018664:Interleukin-12; D015847:Interleukin-4; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases