Lung DCs that lack IL-12p40 fail to migrate to lymph nodes in response to challenge with Mtb.

When airborne bacteria are inhaled into the lungs they are quickly taken up by resident dendritic cells (DCs), which ferry bacterial antigens to the lymph nodes. Once in the lymph node, DCs produce interleukin (IL)-12p70 to help activate bug-specific T helper (Th)-1 cells. According to Khader and colleagues on page 1805, DCs also use homodimers of the p40 subunit of IL-12p70 to help them embark on their journey from lung to lymph node.

The production of bioactive IL-12p70—which is composed of p40 and p35 subunits—is required for protection against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infection in both mice and men. Without IL-12p35 and p40, protective Th1 cells are not activated and bacterial growth goes unchecked.

Mice expressing only p40, however, fare better than those lacking both subunits, despite their...

The Rockefeller University Press
2006
The Rockefeller University Press
2006
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