IL-12 is a potent regulator of cell mediated immune responses and it induces IFN-gamma production by NK and T cells. It is produced by activated monocytes/macrophage cells, B lymphocytes and connective tissue type mast cells. Among its biological activities IL-12 promotes the growth and activity of activated NK, CD4+ and CD8+ cells and induces the development of IFN-gamma producing Th1 cells. Recombinant murine IL-12 is a 75.0 kDa heterodimeric glycoprotein consisting of disulfide-linked 35 kDa (p35) and 40 kDa (p40) subunits (506 total amino acid residues). Recombinant Human IL-12 is a 75.0 kDa heterodimeric glycoprotein consisting of disulfide-linked 35 kDa (p35) and 40 kDa (p40) subunits (503 total amino acid residues).

IL-12 (40-520) is a disulfide-linked heterodimeric protein (p70), composed of two subunits, p35 and p40, which are encoded by two different genes. Accumulating data indicate that p40 secretion precedes that of IL-12 expression. In addition, to its ability to covalently bind to p35 to form IL-12, p40 can bind to p19 to form IL-23, or can form a homodimer designated as IL-12 p80. Elevated levels of IL-12 p80 are correlated with macrophage recruitment and increased inflammation in asthma and respiratory viral infection models. Recombinant human IL-12 p80 is an 80.0 kDa disulfide linked homodimer consisting of two p40 chains of IL-12.

Store in working aliquots at -20°C. Avoid freeze/thaw cycles.