Technical Articles

Interleukin-12 (IL-12) is a key cytokine that bridges innate immunity and adaptive immunity, primarily functioning to drive type 1 T helper (Th1) immune responses.

Th1 cell polarization is a core process in adaptive immune responses, precisely driven by key cytokines such as IL-12 and IFN-γ. This process shapes type 1 immunity characterized by macrophage activation and cytotoxic T cell responses, serving as a cornerstone for eliminating intracellular pathogens.

IL-12 is a heterodimeric cytokine produced by antigen-presenting cells (such as dendritic cells and macrophages), composed of two subunits, p35 and p40, linked by disulfide bonds. It plays a central role in the initiation and regulation of immune responses.

The IL-12 family is a class of structurally similar but functionally diverse cytokines that play a critical role in immune regulation. The family includes IL-12, IL-23, IL-27, IL-35 and IL-39, which regulate the differentiation of helper T cells such as Th1 and Th17 through different receptor signaling pathways, thus affecting the process of autoimmune diseases, tumor immunity and infectious diseases.