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Possible roles of IL-12-family cytokines in rheumatoid arthritis

Nature Reviews Rheumatology volume 9, pages 252–256 (2013)Cite this article

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Abstract

The IL-12 family members, IL-12, IL-23, IL-27 and IL-35, are heterodimeric cytokines that share subunits and have important roles in autoimmunity. As well as their structural relationship the IL-12 family cytokines share some biological characteristics but have functional differences. These cytokines contribute to immune-mediated inflammation and our improved knowledge of their actions has led to alteration of the TH1–TH2 paradigm. In rheumatoid arthritis (RA), leukocyte migration, bone erosions and angiogenesis are modulated by an IL-23–IL-17 cascade, which can be negated in part by IL-12, IL-27 and IL-35 function. However, the IL-12 family members are a relatively new area of research and data have been generated mostly at the preclinical stage. Further studies in patients with RA are, therefore, required to determine whether these cytokines are valid targets for RA therapy.

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Figure 1: The IL-12 cytokine family.
Figure 2: The potential effects on IL-12 family cytokines on RA pathogenesis.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by grants from the NIH (AR056099 and AR055240), the American College of Rheumatology Research and Education Foundation (Within Our Reach: Finding a Cure for Rheumatoid Arthritis campaign), and the Department of Defense (PR093477) as well as the Arthritis Foundation (Innovative Research Grant).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 420 East Superior Street, Chicago, 60611, IL, USA

    Richard M. Pope

  2. Department of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, E807 MSB, 835 S. Wolcott Avenue, Chicago, 60612, IL, USA

    Shiva Shahrara

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S. Shahrara researched the data for the article and provided a substantial contribution to discussions of the content. R. Pope and S. Shahrara wrote the article and reviewed and/or edited the manuscript before submission.

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Correspondence to Shiva Shahrara.

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The authors declare no competing financial interests.

Supplementary information

Supplementary Table 1

The effect of IL 12 family cytokines in murine CIA. (DOC 103 kb)

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Pope, R., Shahrara, S. Possible roles of IL-12-family cytokines in rheumatoid arthritis. Nat Rev Rheumatol 9, 252–256 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrrheum.2012.170

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