Interleukin-12 Subunit p70 Simoa

Interleukin-12 Subunit p70 (IL-12p70) is a member of the IL-12 cytokine family and its function and activity bridges the innate and adaptive immune responses. It is a heterodimer comprised of subunits p35 and p40. The receptor for IL-12p70 is a heterodimer of IL-12R ?1 and ?2 and signals using Jak2 and Tyk2. IL-12p70 is produced mainly by monocytes, macrophages, and dendritic cells, and stimulated through pattern recognition receptors such as toll-like receptors (TLR). Due to its ability to promote differentiation of T cell helper type 1 (TH1) CD4+ cells, induce and accelerate IFN-? production of T and natural killer cells, and negatively regulate IL-4/TH2 and IL-2/T-regulatory cells, IL-12p70 is considered a master regulator of the TH1 response. Indeed, genetic deficiencies in IL-12p70 or its signaling leads to host susceptibility to diseases that require TH1 defensive immunity, such as viral and bacterial infections and various cancers. In autoimmune (psoriasis) and inflammatory (atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease) diseases with TH1 pathogenesis, targeting IL-12p70 is an attractive therapeutic strategy. However, since IL-12p70 is critical for the TH1 response, targeting IL-12 for therapy has led to observed increases in risks for certain types of cancers. Monitoring circulating IL-12p70 may be necessary to balance the positive and negative effects during disease.

Swiss-Prot Accession Number: P29459, P29460