IL-23: a cytokine that acts on memory T cells.
The newly discovered cytokine interleukin (IL)-23 shares some in vivo functions with IL-12, including the activation of the transcription factor STAT4 (signal tranducer and activator of transcription-4). Indeed, the receptors for each appear to share one subunit, but also have at least one distinct subunit. Frucht discusses the similarities of IL-12 and IL-23 and the effects that distinguish one from the other. In contrast to IL-12, IL-23 appears to participate in the proliferative signal in memory T cells. More functions that distinguish IL-23 from IL-12 are likely to be uncovered as soon as the other component(s) of the IL-23 receptor are molecularly cloned and characterized.
Frucht
David M
DM
Laboratory of Cell Biology, Division of Monoclonal Antibodies, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA. frucht@cber.fda.gov
D000818:Animals; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D019281:Dimerization; D006801:Humans; D007156:Immunologic Memory; D018664:Interleukin-12 / Q000378:metabolism; D053759:Interleukin-23; D053760:Interleukin-23 Subunit p19; D007378:Interleukins / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D018123:Receptors, Interleukin / Q000378:metabolism; D053707:Receptors, Interleukin-12; D050797:STAT4 Transcription Factor; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D015534:Trans-Activators / Q000378:metabolism
D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; C508840:IL23A protein, human; D053759:Interleukin-23; D053760:Interleukin-23 Subunit p19; D007378:Interleukins; D018123:Receptors, Interleukin; D053707:Receptors, Interleukin-12; D050797:STAT4 Transcription Factor; C494090:STAT4 protein, human; D015534:Trans-Activators; D018664:Interleukin-12