Immunoregulatory Functions of the IL-12 Family of Cytokines in Antiviral Systems

Abstract

Members of the interleukin 12 (IL-12) family have been known to be inflammatory factors since their discovery. The IL-12 family consists of IL-12, IL-23, IL-27, IL-35, and a new member, IL-39, which has recently been identified and has not yet been studied extensively. Current literature has described the mechanisms of immunity of these cytokines and potential uses for therapy and medical cures. IL-12 was found first and is effective in combatting a wide range of naturally occurring viral infections through the upregulation of various cytokines to clear the infected cells. IL-23 has an essential function in immune networks, can induce IL-17 production, and can antagonize inhibition from IL-12 in the presence of T helper (Th) 17 cells, resulting in type II IFN (IFN-γ) regulation. IL-27 has a competitive relationship to IL-35 because they both include the same subunit, the Epstein–Barr virus-induced gene3 (EBi3). This review provides a simple introduction to the IL-12 family and focuses on their functions relevant to their actions to counteract viral infections.

The Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Rice Bran Phenolic Extracts

“…The results observed in this study demonstrate that RB phenolic compounds effectively down-regulated the expression of IL-6, IL-12p70, and IFN-γ production in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. IL-12 is a heterodimeric interleukin that plays an important role in defence against intracellular pathogens [ 30 ]. It is characterized by the high-level secretion of both IFN-γ and TNF-α [ 30 ].…”

“…IL-12 is a heterodimeric interleukin that plays an important role in defence against intracellular pathogens [ 30 ]. It is characterized by the high-level secretion of both IFN-γ and TNF-α [ 30 ]. IL-12p70 is one of the first pro-inflammatory cytokines released after antigens from the foreign agents, apparent in the microenvironment, and the secretion of IL-12p70 cytokine is critical for the initiation and polarization of the appropriate immune response [ 31 ].…”

Epstein barr virus encodes miRNAs to assist host immune escape

“…IL-6 can promote the proliferation of B cells and T cells, stimulate the activation of CTL cells, and participate in the inflammatory response [75], while EBV miR-BART6-3p can target IL-6 receptors and inhibit lymphocyte immune activation [76]. IL-12 promotes T cell proliferation, induces Th0 cells differentiation into Th1 cells, and activates cytotoxicity of CTL cells and NK cells [77], while EBV miR-BART1, EBV miR-BART2, EBV miR-BART22 and EBV miR-BHRF1-2 significantly inhibited the expression and release of IL-12 [56]. Similarly, EBV miR-BART15-3p directly targets the 3'UTR of inflammasome NLRP3 mRNA, inhibits NLRP3 expression, and indirectly inhibits IL-1β expression, thereby attenuating host-induced immune responses [78].…”

Characterization of the Impact of Oncolytic Vesicular Stomatitis Virus on the Trafficking, Phenotype, and Antigen Presentation Potential of Neutrophils and Their Ability to Acquire a Non-Structural Viral Protein

“…A significant increase in the proportion of neutrophils that were MHCII + in the spleen (62.5 ± 8.1%) was observed 24-h following administration of VSV, compared to the bone marrow (11.2 ± 2.4%, p < 0.0001) or lungs (27.2 ± 4.3%, p < 0.0001; Figure 4 A). Moreover, IL-12p40, a cytokine that plays a major role in antigen presentation and is indispensable for clearance of viruses by regulating interferon-γ and other cytokines [ 20 ], was produced by a higher proportion of splenic neutrophils after 24-h (31.5 ± 5.2%) than the blood (9.7 ± 3.1%, p = 0.002) and lungs (16.0 ± 1.3%, p = 0.0002) ( Figure 4 B). This data demonstrated that the spleen had a larger proportion of neutrophils, with antigen presenting potential, compared to the bone marrow and lungs.…”