Interleukin 23
Encyclopedia
Interleukin-23 subunit alpha is a protein
that in humans is encoded by the IL23A gene
. IL-23 is produced by dendritic cells and macrophages. Moreover, IL-23 is stimulated by Danger Signals, including cell debris, and directs memory T cells to Th17 response.
Interleukin-23 (IL-23) is a heterodimeric cytokine
consisting of two subunits, one called p40, which is shared with another cytokine, IL-12
, and another called p19 (the IL-23 alpha subunit). In other words, IL-23 is a dimer of p40
-S-S-p19. IL-23 is an important part of the inflammatory response
against infection
. It promotes upregulation of the matrix metalloprotease MMP9
, increases angiogenesis
and reduces CD8+ T-cell
infiltration. Recently, IL-23 has been implicated in the development of cancerous tumors. In conjunction with IL-6 and TGF
-β1, IL-23 stimulates naive CD4+ T cells to differentiate into a novel subset of cells called Th17 cells
, which are distinct from the classical Th1 and Th2 cells. Th17 cells produce IL-17
, a proinflammatory cytokine that enhances T cell priming and stimulates the production of proinflammatory molecules such as IL-1, IL-6
, TNF-alpha, NOS-2
, and chemokines resulting in inflammation. Knockout mice deficient in either p40 or p19, or in either subunit of the IL-23 receptor (IL-23R and IL12R-β1) develop less severe symptoms of multiple sclerosis and inflammatory bowel disease highlighting the importance of IL-23 in the inflammatory pathway.
with Interleukin-12 subunit beta
.
Protein
Proteins are biochemical compounds consisting of one or more polypeptides typically folded into a globular or fibrous form, facilitating a biological function. A polypeptide is a single linear polymer chain of amino acids bonded together by peptide bonds between the carboxyl and amino groups of...
that in humans is encoded by the IL23A gene
Gene
A gene is a molecular unit of heredity of a living organism. It is a name given to some stretches of DNA and RNA that code for a type of protein or for an RNA chain that has a function in the organism. Living beings depend on genes, as they specify all proteins and functional RNA chains...
. IL-23 is produced by dendritic cells and macrophages. Moreover, IL-23 is stimulated by Danger Signals, including cell debris, and directs memory T cells to Th17 response.
Interleukin-23 (IL-23) is a heterodimeric cytokine
Cytokine
Cytokines are small cell-signaling protein molecules that are secreted by the glial cells of the nervous system and by numerous cells of the immune system and are a category of signaling molecules used extensively in intercellular communication...
consisting of two subunits, one called p40, which is shared with another cytokine, IL-12
Interleukin 12
Interleukin 12 is an interleukin that is naturally produced by dendritic cells, macrophages and human B-lymphoblastoid cells in response to antigenic stimulation.-Gene and structure:...
, and another called p19 (the IL-23 alpha subunit). In other words, IL-23 is a dimer of p40
Interleukin-12 subunit beta
Subunit beta of interleukin 12 is a subunit of human interleukin 12.-Interactions:...
-S-S-p19. IL-23 is an important part of the inflammatory response
Inflammation
Inflammation is part of the complex biological response of vascular tissues to harmful stimuli, such as pathogens, damaged cells, or irritants. Inflammation is a protective attempt by the organism to remove the injurious stimuli and to initiate the healing process...
against infection
Infection
An infection is the colonization of a host organism by parasite species. Infecting parasites seek to use the host's resources to reproduce, often resulting in disease...
. It promotes upregulation of the matrix metalloprotease MMP9
MMP9
Matrix metallopeptidase 9 , also known as 92 kDa type IV collagenase, 92 kDa gelatinase or gelatinase B , is an enzyme that in humans is encoded by the MMP9 gene.- Function :...
, increases angiogenesis
Angiogenesis
Angiogenesis is the physiological process involving the growth of new blood vessels from pre-existing vessels. Though there has been some debate over terminology, vasculogenesis is the term used for spontaneous blood-vessel formation, and intussusception is the term for the formation of new blood...
and reduces CD8+ T-cell
Cytotoxic T cell
A cytotoxic T cell belongs to a sub-group of T lymphocytes that are capable of inducing the death of infected somatic or tumor cells; they kill cells that are infected with viruses , or are otherwise damaged or...
infiltration. Recently, IL-23 has been implicated in the development of cancerous tumors. In conjunction with IL-6 and TGF
Transforming growth factor
Transforming growth factor is used to describe two classes of polypeptide growth factors, TGFα and TGFβ....
-β1, IL-23 stimulates naive CD4+ T cells to differentiate into a novel subset of cells called Th17 cells
T helper 17 cell
T helper 17 cells are a subset of T helper cells producing interleukin 17 discovered in 2007. They are considered developmentally distinct from Th1 and Th2 cells and excessive amounts of the cell are thought to play a key role in autoimmune disease such as multiple sclerosis , but also...
, which are distinct from the classical Th1 and Th2 cells. Th17 cells produce IL-17
Interleukin 17
Interleukin-17 is the founding member of a group of cytokines called the IL-17 family. IL-17A, was originally identified as a transcript from a rodent T-cell hybridoma by Rouvier et al. in 1993...
, a proinflammatory cytokine that enhances T cell priming and stimulates the production of proinflammatory molecules such as IL-1, IL-6
Interleukin 6
Interleukin-6 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the IL6 gene.IL-6 is an interleukin that acts as both a pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokine. It is secreted by T cells and macrophages to stimulate immune response, e.g. during infection and after trauma, especially burns or other...
, TNF-alpha, NOS-2
Nitric oxide synthase
Nitric oxide synthases are a family of enzymes that catalyze the production of nitric oxide from L-arginine. NO is an important cellular signaling molecule, having a vital role in many biological processes...
, and chemokines resulting in inflammation. Knockout mice deficient in either p40 or p19, or in either subunit of the IL-23 receptor (IL-23R and IL12R-β1) develop less severe symptoms of multiple sclerosis and inflammatory bowel disease highlighting the importance of IL-23 in the inflammatory pathway.
Interactions
Interleukin 23 has been shown to interactProtein-protein interaction
Protein–protein interactions occur when two or more proteins bind together, often to carry out their biological function. Many of the most important molecular processes in the cell such as DNA replication are carried out by large molecular machines that are built from a large number of protein...
with Interleukin-12 subunit beta
Interleukin-12 subunit beta
Subunit beta of interleukin 12 is a subunit of human interleukin 12.-Interactions:...
.