Abstract
IL-12 is the signature IFN-gamma-inducing cytokine and, as such, is thought to be crucial for protective immunity against intracellular microorganisms. This concept is supported by results from experimental infections of knockout mice lacking IL-12 or the IL-12 receptor. The description of human patients with inherited IL-12 or IL-12-receptor deficiency challenges this view. Indeed, in natural conditions of infection and immunity - the hallmark of the human model - IL-12 was found to be redundant in defense against intracellular microorganisms other than Mycobacteria and Salmonella. More surprisingly, IL-12 was recently found to be redundant even in defense against primary intection by Mycobacteria and Salmonella in many patients, and against secondary infection by Mycobacteria but not Salmonella in most patients.
MeSH terms
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Adolescent
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Adult
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Animals
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BCG Vaccine / adverse effects
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Child
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Child, Preschool
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Female
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Genetic Predisposition to Disease
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Humans
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Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes / genetics
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Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes / immunology
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Infant
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Infant, Newborn
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Infections / immunology*
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Interleukin-12 / chemistry
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Interleukin-12 / deficiency
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Interleukin-12 / genetics
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Interleukin-12 / physiology*
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Interleukin-23
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Interleukin-23 Subunit p19
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Interleukins / chemistry
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Interleukins / immunology
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Male
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Mice
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Mice, Knockout
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Middle Aged
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Mycobacterium Infections / immunology
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Mycobacterium bovis / immunology
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Mycobacterium bovis / pathogenicity
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Receptors, Interleukin / deficiency
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Receptors, Interleukin / genetics
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Receptors, Interleukin / physiology
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Receptors, Interleukin-12
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Salmonella Infections / immunology
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Salmonella Infections, Animal / immunology
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Tuberculosis / etiology
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Virulence
Substances
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BCG Vaccine
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IL23A protein, human
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Il23a protein, mouse
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Interleukin-23
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Interleukin-23 Subunit p19
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Interleukins
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Receptors, Interleukin
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Receptors, Interleukin-12
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Interleukin-12