title: IL-12 family members in experimental colitis.
abstract: Interleukin (IL)-12 p35/p40 is a heterodimeric cytokine that plays an important role in T helper (Th) cell polarization and Th1 T-cell differentiation. Recent findings have shown that both p35 and p40 can form other cytokines with different proteins (IL-23: p19/p40; IL-35: p35/EBI3). Furthermore, the cytokine IL-27 (EBI3/p28) has been identified as a member of the IL-12 family. Here, we discuss the recent findings on the role of IL-12 family members in experimental colitis. In particular, the role of IL-23 as a master regulator of effector T-cell activation is highlighted. These findings have important implications for the design of new therapeutic approaches in chronic intestinal inflammation in humans.
authors.affiliation: First Department of Medicine, Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Mainz, Germany. neurath@1-med.klinik.uni-mainz.de
authors.forename: M F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Neurath
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003092:Colitis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D015212:Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D018664:Interleukin-12 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000145:classification / Q000276:immunology*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D018664:Interleukin-12