INTERLEUKIN 12

a cytokine produced by lymphocytes (e.g., monocytes, macrophages, dendritic cells, neutrophils) that activates natural killer cells and cytotoxic T-lymphocytes and induces the production of interferon-gamma. IL-12 is associated with the cell-mediated (TH1) immune response. Recombinant IL-12 is under study as a immunomodulatory treatment for HIV disease.