Interleukin-23 subunit alpha is a
protein that in humans is encoded by the IL23Agene.[5][6] The protein is also known as IL-23p19. It is one of the two subunits of the cytokine Interleukin-23.
Produced by
dendritic cells and
macrophages, IL-23 is an important part of the
inflammatory response against
infection. It promotes upregulation of the matrix
metalloproteaseMMP9, increases
angiogenesis and reduces
CD8+ T-cell infiltration into tumours. IL-23 mediates its effects on both innate and adaptive arms of the immune system that express the
IL-23 receptor.
Th17 cells represent the most prominent T cell subset that responds to IL-23, although IL-23 has been implicated in inhibiting the development of
regulatory T cell development in the intestine.
Th17 cells produce
IL-17, a proinflammatory cytokine that enhances T cell priming and stimulates the production of other proinflammatory molecules such as
IL-1,
IL-6,
TNF-alpha,
NOS-2, and
chemokines resulting in inflammation.
The expression of IL23A is decreased after
AHR knockdown in THP-1 cells and primary mouse macrophages.[8]
A computational search for IL-12
homologue genes found p19, a gene that encodes a cytokine chain. Experimental work revealed that p19 formed a heterodimer by binding to p40, a subunit of IL-12. This new heterodimer was named IL-23.[11]
Knockdown of
AHR decreases the expression of IL23A in THP-1 cells and primary macrophage.[8]
See also
Ustekinumab, a monoclonal antibody targeting both IL-12 and IL-23 and used to treat
plaque psoriasis, launched in the United States under the brand name Stelara
^Kikly K, Liu L, Na S, Sedgwick JD (December 2006). "The IL-23/Th(17) axis: therapeutic targets for autoimmune inflammation". Current Opinion in Immunology. 18 (6): 670–5.
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doi:
10.1007/s00251-002-0534-9.
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Kreymborg K, Böhlmann U, Becher B (December 2005). "IL-23: changing the verdict on IL-12 function in inflammation and autoimmunity". Expert Opinion on Therapeutic Targets. 9 (6): 1123–36.
doi:
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