| Synonyms: |
CLMF, CLMF2, IL-12B, NKSF, NKSF2, p40, Il-12b, Il12p40, Il-12p40, Il12, IL-12p40, IL-12, LOC100217488, IL-12p35, Il-12a, Ll12a, p35, IL12p40, IL12B, IL-12 p35, interleukin 12B, interleukin 12A, interleukin 12b, interleukin 12a, Interleukin 12 level, IL12B, IL12A, Il12b, Il12a, IL12, il12a. |
| Background: |
IL-12, also known as natural killer cell stimulatory factor (NKSF) or cytotoxic lymphocyte maturation factor (CLMF), is a cytokine mainly produced by antigen-presenting cells like monocytes, macrophages, dendritic cells, and B lymphocytes. IL-12 affects T lymphocytes and natural killer (NK) cells by stimulating cytotoxicity, proliferation, cytokine production, and Th1 subset development.
IL-12 is a 70 kDa heterodimeric glycoprotein made up of two subunits: p40 (40 kDa) and p35 (35 kDa). Individually, these subunits do not have IL-12 activity, but the p40 homodimer can bind to the IL-12 receptor and act as an antagonist. The genes for p40 and p35 are located on chromosomes 5 and 3, respectively, and are regulated independently. While p35 mRNA is nearly ubiquitous, p35 protein is not detected in cells expressing only p35 or both p35 and p40 mRNAs. In cells expressing both, p40 is produced in excess and secreted along with the IL-12p70 heterodimer. |
