IL12B Antibody
Description
Product Specs
Product Science Overview
Interleukin-12 (IL-12) is a cytokine that plays a crucial role in the immune response by influencing the activities of natural killer (NK) cells and T lymphocytes. It is a heterodimeric cytokine composed of two subunits: p35 and p40. The p40 subunit, also known as Interleukin-12 subunit beta (IL-12B), is shared with another cytokine, Interleukin-23 (IL-23). This article delves into the background of IL-12B and its significance, particularly focusing on the mouse anti-human IL-12B antibody.
IL-12B is a protein subunit encoded by the IL12B gene. It forms a disulfide-linked heterodimer with the p35 subunit to create the active IL-12 cytokine. IL-12 is primarily produced by activated macrophages and dendritic cells and is essential for the differentiation of naive T cells into Th1 cells, which are crucial for the immune response against intracellular pathogens .
IL-12B also serves as a subunit of IL-23, pairing with the p19 subunit. This dual role highlights the importance of IL-12B in both IL-12 and IL-23 cytokines, which have distinct but overlapping functions in the immune system .
IL-12 has a broad array of biological activities. It stimulates the production of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) from T cells and NK cells. These cytokines are vital for the immune response against infections and tumors. IL-12 also enhances the cytotoxic activity of NK cells and CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes, making it a key player in the body’s defense mechanisms .
Overexpression of IL-12B has been observed in the central nervous system of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), suggesting a role in the pathogenesis of the disease. Additionally, polymorphisms in the IL12B gene promoter have been associated with the severity of atopic and non-atopic asthma in children .
Mouse anti-human IL-12B antibodies are monoclonal antibodies developed to target the human IL-12B subunit. These antibodies are used in various research and clinical applications, including enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) and Western blotting, to detect and quantify IL-12B levels in human samples .
