HUMAN INTERLEUKIN-12 BIOLOGICAL ROLE AND THERAPEUTIC POTENTIAL

Citation
S. Chouaib et J. Chehimi, HUMAN INTERLEUKIN-12 BIOLOGICAL ROLE AND THERAPEUTIC POTENTIAL, MS. Medecine sciences, 12(4), 1996, pp. 451-457
Citations number
49
Categorie Soggetti
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Journal title
ISSN journal
07670974
Volume
12
Issue
4
Year of publication
1996
Pages
451 - 457
Database
ISI
SICI code
0767-0974(1996)12:4<451:HIBRAT>2.0.ZU;2-9
Abstract
Interleukin-12 (IL12) is a disulfide linked heterodimeric cytokine ori ginally identified as a product of EBV-transformed B cell lines; monoc ytes/macrophages are the physiologically most relevant producers of IL 12 in response to bacterias or intracellular parasites. Although IL12 has an enhancing effect on the survival and growth of hematopoietic pr ogenitor cells, most of the IL12 biological activity has been describe d on T and NK cells, on which it induces production of lymphokines, pr imarily IFN gamma, enhances cytotoxic activity and, in cooperation wit h other stimuli, increase proliferation. Early during infection, IL12 acts as a proinflammatory cytokine by inducing IFN gamma production fr om NK and T cells which in turn activates phagocytic cells. IL12 then sets the stage for the ensuring adaptive immune response by stimulatin g generation of T helper type 1 (Th-1) cells and by activating cell-me diated resistance mechanisms against several pathogens. Several studie s have now established the IL-12 plays an early and major role in the resistance to bacterial and parasitic infections by activating macroph ages through induction of IFN gamma from NK and T cells. Thus, because of its ability to induce Th-1 responses and efficient cell-mediated i mmunity, IL12 has several potential therapeutic uses in infectious dis eases and in cancer patients. Natural IL12 appears to provide a regula tory link between innate resistance and the development of the antigen -specific adaptive immune response. The recombinant protein also has t herapeutic potential because of its activity against tumors and infect ions, and its effectiveness as an adjuvant enhancing cell-mediated imm unity in vaccination.