title: Biological properties of interleukin-12 and its therapeutic use in persistent hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus infection.
abstract: Interleukin (IL)-12 is a pleiotropic cytokine produced by antigen-presenting cells in response to diverse stimuli. IL-12 is a key molecule in the regulation of host's immune responses. In particular, IL-12 influences the balance between the T-helper cells type 1 (TH1) and type 2 (TH2); it modulates macrophage responses through the control of interferon-gamma synthesis by TH1 cells; and, suppresses IgE class antibody production (has a suppressive effect on allergic reactions) and promotes a shift in the IgG subclasses. IL-12 enhances resistance to several infectious diseases, is a powerful antitumor agent in vivo, and acts as a vaccine adjuvant. The biological properties of IL-12 point to the potential therapeutic use in persistent hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus infection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hepatology, Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Carreño
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Quiroga
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000628:therapy*; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D018664:Interleukin-12 / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D018664:Interleukin-12