title: IL-12 as a therapeutic target for pharmacological modulation in immune-mediated and inflammatory diseases: regulation of T helper 1/T helper 2 responses.
abstract: Interleukin-12 (IL-12) is a pivotal cytokine in driving the immune system towards a T helper (Th)1 type response and preventing a Th2 type immune profile. Therefore, IL-12 is indispensable in the defense against certain, mainly intracellular pathogens, but overproduction of this cytokine is crucially involved in the etiology of several inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Hence, IL-12 is an ideal target for pharmacological intervention in the therapy of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. The production of IL-12 and a resultant Th1 type immune response can be suppressed with several pharmacological approaches including modulation of intracellular cyclic AMP levels, glucocorticoids and nuclear factor-kappaB inhibition. IL-12 responsiveness may be inhibited using anti-IL-12 antibodies, soluble IL-12 receptors or the IL-12 p40 homodimer. Exploitation of these approaches may provide novel means for the experimental therapy of a variety of pathophysiological states.
authors.affiliation: Inotek Corp., 100 Cummings Center, Beverly, Massachusetts 01915, USA. ghasko@inotekcorp.com
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Haskó
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Szabó
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D018664:Interleukin-12 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000096:biosynthesis; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D018664:Interleukin-12