Human interleukin-12α and EBI3 are cytokines with anti-inflammatory functions

• DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adg6874
• Publication Date: 2023-10-25T17:59:21Z
• Authors: Karen Hildenbrand; Sina Bohnacker; Priyanka Rajeev M...; Anna Kerle; Ulrich F. Prodjin...; Franziska Hartung; Patrick C. Strasser; Dragana A. M. Catici; Florian Rührnößl; Martin Haslbeck; Kathrin Schumann; Stephanie I. Müller; Clarissa Prazeres...; Julia Esser-von B...; Matthias J. Feige
• Keywords: Proinflammatory cytokine

Interleukins are secreted proteins that regulate immune responses. Among these, the interleukin 12 (IL-12) family holds a central position in inflammatory and infectious diseases. Each member consists of an α β subunit together form composite cytokine. Within IL-12 family, IL-35 remains particularly ill-characterized on molecular level despite its key role autoimmune diseases cancer. Here we show both subunits, IL-12α EBI3, mutually promote their secretion from cells but not necessarily as heterodimer. Our data demonstrate EBI3 stable isolation act anti-inflammatory molecules. Both reduce proinflammatory cytokines induce development regulatory T cells. Together, our study reveals subunits IL-35, to be functionally active molecules own. This extends understanding human cytokine repertoire basis for immunotherapeutic approaches.