Among a wide range of cytokines, the Interleukin 12 (IL-12) family has its unique structural, functional, and immunological characteristics that have made this family as important immunological playmakers. Because of the importance of IL-12 heterodimeric cytokines in microbial infections, autoimmune diseases, and cancers, the authors of this literature discuss about the general characteristics of IL-12 family members, the interactions between IL-12 cytokines and pathogenic microorganisms, the interleukins receptors and their strategies for selecting different signalling pathways. IL-12 and IL-23 are similar in p40 subunits and both are involved in proinflammatory responses while, IL-27 and IL-35 contribute to anti-inflammatory activities; however, IL-27 is also involved in pro-inflammatory responses. There are some similarities and dissimilarities among IL-12 family members which make them a unique bridge between innate and adaptive immune systems. The bioactivities of IL-12 family indicate a brilliant promise for their applications in different fields of medicine. The members of IL-12 family are candidate for several therapeutics including gene therapy, cancer therapy, tumour therapy, and vaccination. To have an accurate diagnostic technique and definite treatment regarding to infectious diseases, the playmakers of IL-12 family as effective criteria together with microarray technology are the best choices for current and future applications.

中文翻译：

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IL-12家族细胞因子：一般特征，病原微生物，受体和信号通路。

在广泛的细胞因子中，白介素12（IL-12）家族具有其独特的结构，功能和免疫学特征，这使该家族成为重要的免疫学起子。由于IL-12异二聚体细胞因子在微生物感染，自身免疫性疾病和癌症中的重要性，因此本文作者讨论了IL-12家族成员的一般特征，IL-12细胞因子与病原微生物，白介素之间的相互作用。受体及其选择不同信号途径的策略。IL-12和IL-23在p40亚基中相似，均参与促炎反应，而IL-27和IL-35有助于抗炎活性。然而，IL-27也参与促炎反应。IL-12家族成员之间存在一些异同，这使它们成为先天性免疫系统和适应性免疫系统之间的独特桥梁。IL-12家族的生物活性表明其在不同医学领域中的应用前景光明。IL-12家族的成员是几种疗法的候选者，包括基因疗法，癌症疗法，肿瘤疗法和疫苗接种。为了对感染性疾病拥有准确的诊断技术和明确的治疗方法，作为有效标准的IL-12家族的制作者与微阵列技术一起成为当前和未来应用的最佳选择。IL-12家族的生物活性表明其在不同医学领域中的应用前景光明。IL-12家族的成员是几种疗法的候选者，包括基因疗法，癌症疗法，肿瘤疗法和疫苗接种。为了对感染性疾病拥有准确的诊断技术和明确的治疗方法，作为有效标准的IL-12家族的制作者与微阵列技术一起成为当前和未来应用的最佳选择。IL-12家族的生物活性表明其在不同医学领域中的应用前景光明。IL-12家族的成员是几种疗法的候选者，包括基因疗法，癌症疗法，肿瘤疗法和疫苗接种。为了对感染性疾病拥有准确的诊断技术和明确的治疗方法，作为有效标准的IL-12家族的制作者与微阵列技术一起成为当前和未来应用的最佳选择。