Definition
Interleukins (Latin derivation – communication between leukocytes) are a subset of low molecular weight cellular messengers known as cytokines, which contribute to the regulation of immune responses. Interleukin (IL)-23 is a heterodimer (i.e., consisting of two different subunits). As a member of the IL-12 family, it harbors the common p40 subunit that is characteristic of that family. What distinguishes IL-23 is a p19 component (whereas IL-12 comprises a p35 subunit) covalently bound to p40. In turn, IL-23 binds to a receptor (R) comprised of IL-12Rβ1 and IL23Rα to trigger an array of inflammatory processes. The role of IL-23 in inflammation and autoimmunity has been validated in the clinic by the success of anti-IL-23 antibodies.
Basic Characteristics
IL-23 Discovery and Signaling
IL-23 is a heterodimer consisting of p19 and p40 (Fig. 1). In 2000, Oppmann et al. discovered the p19 subunit, with a 4-helix bundle assembly typical of both IL-6...
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References
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Huppertz, C., Littlewood-Evans, A. (2021). Interleukin-23. In: Offermanns, S., Rosenthal, W. (eds) Encyclopedia of Molecular Pharmacology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-57401-7_10032
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-57401-7_10032
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