| 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: |
Interleukin 12 (IL-12), also known as natural killer cell stimulatory factor (NKSF) or cytotoxic lymphocyte maturation factor (CLMF), is a cytokine identified in a human B-lymphoblastoid cell line. Mouse IL-12 is a 70 kDa heterodimeric glycoprotein composed of a 40 kDa (p40) subunit and a 35 kDa (p35) subunit. Individually, these subunits are inactive, but the p40 homodimer can bind to the IL-12 receptor and act as an antagonist. The mouse p35 subunit has 193 amino acids with one glycosylation site, while the p40 subunit has 313 amino acids with five glycosylation sites. Mouse IL-12 is effective on both human and mouse cells, but human IL-12 works only on human cells.
IL-12 affects T lymphocytes and natural killer (NK) cells by inducing IFN-γ and TNF production, enhancing cytotoxic activity, and stimulating proliferation. It is also crucial for the cell-mediated immune response, promoting Th1 development. IL-12 is produced by macrophages, dendritic cells, monocytes, Langerhans cells, neutrophils, and keratinocytes. |
