Clone REA285 recognizes both, the free and complexed forms (homodimer p80 and heterodimer p70) of the p40 subunit of interleukin-12 (IL-12) as well as of interleukin-23 (IL-23). IL-12, also known as natural killer cell stimulatory factor (NKSF) or cytotoxic lymphocyte maturation factor (CLMF), is expressed by activated macrophages that serve as an essential inducer of Th1 cells development. It acts as a growth factor for activated T and natural killer cells, and has a broad array of biological activities. IL-12 has been found to be important for sustaining a sufficient number of memory and effector Th1 cells to mediate long-term protection to intracellular pathogens. Overexpression of IL-12 was observed in the central nervous system of patients with multiple sclerosis, suggesting a role of IL-12 in the pathogenesis of the disease. IL-23, a heterodimeric cytokine which functions in innate and adaptive immunity, may constitute with IL-17 an acute response to infection in peripheral tissues. It stimulates memory rather than naive T-cells and promotes production of proinflammatory cytokines. IL-23 induces autoimmune inflammation and thus may be responsible for autoimmune inflammatory diseases and may be important for tumorigenesis. The REA285 antibody does not neutralize the bioactivity of natural or recombinant IL-12.

Additional information: Clone REA285 displays negligible binding to Fc receptors.