Pathophysiology of interleukin-23 in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis.

Publication/Presentation Date

3-1-2006

Abstract

Interleukin-23 (IL-23) is a heterodimeric cytokine that is composed of a p40 subunit, shared with the closely related cytokine IL-12, and a smaller IL-23p19 subunit. It belongs to a family of heterodimeric cytokines that also includes IL-12 and IL-27. Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is an autoimmune disease that serves as a model for multiple sclerosis, an inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system that is a frequent cause of disability in young adults. EAE is thought to be initiated by CD4+ T cells. The production of interferon-gamma and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (T helper 1 [Th1] phenotype) was considered a marker for the ability of such cells to induce disease. Consistent with this view, IL-12, a cytokine that induces the differentiation of Th1 cells, was considered essential for EAE susceptibility. However, it is now clear that IL-23 rather than IL-12 is required for EAE susceptibility. IL-23 induces a population of IL-17-producing cells that is more critically involved in EAE pathogenesis than Th1 cells. Here, we review the role of the IL-23 system in the pathophysiology of EAE.

Volume

19

Issue

2

First Page

77

Last Page

83

ISSN

0214-0934

Disciplines

Business Administration, Management, and Operations | Health and Medical Administration | Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods

PubMedID

16628262

Department(s)

Administration and Leadership

Document Type

Article

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