RT Journal Article ID 7446d3a000ba0299 A1 Gran, Bruno A1 Zhang, Guang-Xian A1 Rostami, Abdolmohamad T1 Role of the IL-12/IL-23 System in the Regulation of T-Cell Responses in Central Nervous System Inflammatory Demyelination JF Critical Reviews™ in Immunology JO CRI YR 2004 FD 2004-08-01 VO 24 IS 2 OP 18 AB Interleukin-12 (IL-12) has long been considered essential in T-cell-mediated autoimmune diseases, including multiple sclerosis (MS) and its animal model, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). This is based on the strong capacity of IL-12 to induce T-cell activation and Th1 differentiation. However, recent data have shown that the perceived central role of IL-12 in CNS inflammatory demyelination is actually due to IL-23, a closely related cytokine sharing the p40 subunit and the β1 receptor chain with IL-12. There appear to be three different aspects of IL-12 involvement in EAE: (1) disease-promoting effects of exogenous IL-12, particularly in relapsing—remitting EAE and adoptive transfer EAE; (2) lack of IL-12 requirement in EAE pathogenesis, as indicated by studies in knockout mice; and (3) immunoregulatory effects of IL-12. Together, these observations make IL-12 a less attractive target for therapeutic intervention in MS. IL-23 neutralization may be a better candidate for therapeutic intervention, and it remains to be established whether blocking IL-23 with antibodies in adult mice will have the same effects as knocking out the IL-23p19 gene. Current clinical trials of neutralizing anti— IL-12 antibodies in other immune-mediated diseases target the p40 subunit, thereby neutralizing both IL-12 and IL-23. Thus, new experimental data are expected to have important implications for therapy of human diseases. PB Begell House LK https://www.dl.begellhouse.com/journals/2ff21abf44b19838,5211f6a775b3d1d2,7446d3a000ba0299.html