The IL-12 family of heterodimeric cytokines: new players in the regulation of T cell responses.
Originally the only known heterodimeric cytokine, IL-12 is now part of a family of five cytokines and shares important functions in the regulation of both innate and adaptive immunity with two of them, IL-23 and IL-27. Although initially these three cytokines were considered to have largely overlapping immunological functions, more recent studies, including two articles in this issue of Immunity (Hamano et al., 2003; Villarino et al., 2003), indicate that they mediate complex and well-differentiated functions.
Trinchieri
Giorgio
G
Schering-Plough Research Institute, Laboratory for Immunological Research, 69571 Dardilly, France. giorgio@trinchieri@spcorp.com
Pflanz
Stefan
S
Kastelein
Robert A
RA
D000818:Animals; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D018664:Interleukin-12 / Q000502:physiology*; D051379:Mice; D005810:Multigene Family; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000502:physiology*; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000502:physiology
D018664:Interleukin-12