IL-12: A Versatile Protein Involved in Immune and Inflammatory Responses

Target Name: Interleukin-12 (IL-12)

NCBI ID: P5833

Other Name(s): IL-12

IL-12: A Versatile Protein Involved in Immune and Inflammatory Responses

Interleukin-12 (IL-12) is a cytokine that plays a crucial role in the regulation of immune and inflammatory responses. It is a key player in the interferon pathway, which is a complex signaling pathway that regulates the production of intracellular signaling molecules. Activated immune cells produce IFN-纬, which activates the downstream signaling cascade, resulting in the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines.

IL-12 is a single transmembrane protein that is expressed in a variety of tissues, including the liver, spleen, and lymphoid organs. It is a potent regulator of immune cell function and has been implicated in a wide range of biological processes.

IL-12 is involved in the regulation of immune cell proliferation and differentiation. It promotes the production of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, which are crucial for the immune response. CD4+ T cells are responsible for cell-mediated immunity, while CD8+ T cells are responsible for the production of antibodies as part of their immune response. IL-12 also regulates the production of natural killer cells and T regulatory cells, which are important for the regulation of immune cell function.

IL-12 is involved in the regulation of inflammation. It has been shown to play a role in the regulation of inflammatory responses, including the regulation of pain. IL-12 has been shown to reduce pain sensitivity in animal models of inflammation.

IL-12 is also involved in the regulation of cellular processes such as cell adhesion, migration and the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines.

IL-12 has been shown to be a potential drug target in the treatment of a wide range of diseases. For example, in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) IL-12 has been shown to be decreased in patients compared to healthy controls. Also, in cancer patients, IL-12 production is often increased and it has been shown to be a potential predictor of tumor response to chemotherapy.

In addition, IL-12 has also been shown to be involved in the regulation of obesity, as it has been shown to increase in obese individuals compared to healthy controls.

Overall, IL-12 is a highly versatile protein that plays a crucial role in the regulation of immune and inflammatory responses. Its potential as a drug target makes it an attractive target for the development of new treatments for a wide range of diseases. Further research is needed to fully understand the role of IL-12 in the regulation of immune and inflammatory responses and to develop effective treatments.

Protein Name: Interleukin-12 (IL-12)

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