title: Targeting IL-23 in autoimmunity.
abstract: Dysregulated cell-mediated immune responses may lead to chronic inflammation and autoimmune disorders. The recent discovery of the dimeric interleukin (IL)-12-related cytokine IL-23 now adds to our understanding of the fine-tuning of cellular immunity. The critical implication of the role that IL-12p40 plays in autoimmune inflammation has long been misinterpreted and only recently have studies revealed that it is IL-23, and not IL-12, that is the decisive factor in this immune deviation. Therefore, targeting of IL-23 or the IL-23 receptor is a promising therapeutic approach for autoimmune diseases. This review summarizes recent findings regarding IL-23-mediated autoreactive inflammatory responses, and introduces possible therapeutic interventions that are aimed at mitigating autoimmune inflammation.
authors.affiliation: Junior Research Group Molecular Infection Biology, Research Center Borstel, Parkallee 22, D-23845 Borstel, Germany. choelscher@fz-borstel.de
authors.forename: Christoph
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hölscher
mesh_terms: D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D015551:Autoimmunity / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D053759:Interleukin-23; D053760:Interleukin-23 Subunit p19; D007378:Interleukins / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018123:Receptors, Interleukin / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: C508840:IL23A protein, human; D053759:Interleukin-23; D053760:Interleukin-23 Subunit p19; D007378:Interleukins; D018123:Receptors, Interleukin