IL-12 family cytokines: immunological playmakers.
The interleukin 12 (IL-12) family is unique in having the only heterodimeric cytokines, including IL-12, IL-23, IL-27 and IL-35. This feature endows these cytokines with a unique set of connections and functional interactions not shared by other cytokine families. Despite sharing many structural features and molecular partners, cytokines of the IL-12 family mediate surprisingly diverse functional effects. Here we discuss the unique and unusual structural and functional characteristics of this cytokine family. We outline how cells might interpret seemingly similar cytokine signals to give rise to the diverse functional outcomes that characterize this cytokine family. We also discuss the therapeutic implications of this complexity.
Department of Immunology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA. vignali.lab@stjude.org
Dario A A
DA
Vignali
Vijay K
VK
Kuchroo
D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D018664:Interleukin-12 / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D020381:Interleukin-17 / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D053759:Interleukin-23 / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D007378:Interleukins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D055503:Protein Multimerization; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology
D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D020381:Interleukin-17; D053759:Interleukin-23; D007378:Interleukins; C532417:interleukin-35, human; D018664:Interleukin-12