IL-12 induces SDS-stable class II alpha beta dimers in murine dendritic cells

We assessed the effect of rIL-12 on the expression of class II molecules an d on the ratio between SDS-stable and unstable ap dimers in dendritic cells . We found that in vitro exposure of the cells to IL-12 increased their sur face expression of mature class II molecules, despite a marked decline in c lass II biosynthesis. This effect was accompanied by a striking increase in the overall proportion of SDS-stable heterodimers. (C) 2000 Academic Press .