Interleukin (IL)-12 and IL-23 play central roles in the regulation of helper T-cell subsets Th1 and Th17, respectively. Thorough investigation has shown that in human and rodent systems, these T-cell subsets distinctly control immunological responses and inflammatory reactions in host defence mechanisms. However, little is known about their significance in other species, including livestock such as cattle and pigs. To fill this information gap, we performed molecular cloning of undetermined genes encoding the small component of swine IL-23 (IL-23p19) and its specific receptor (R) components IL-23Rα and IL-12Rβ1 and assigned the loci on swine chromosomes 5 (IL-23p19) and 6 (IL-23Rα and IL-12Rβ1), respectively. These results supplement genetic information on both IL-23/IL-23R and IL-12/IL-12R systems in pig. Furthermore, we prepared recombinant baculovirus expressing IL-23p19 and another IL-23 component, IL-12p35, which is reportedly shared between IL-12 and IL-23, and produced biologically active swine IL-23 by infecting host insect cells concomitantly. Our results may improve understanding of the IL-12/23 systems in pig immunity.
(Pathology and Pathophysiology Research Division)
References:
Kokuho T. et al (2012) J. Vet. Med. Sci. 74:367-372
