Cytokine reporter mouse system for screening novel IL12/23 p40-inducing compounds

Wooseok Im, Hyojeong Kim, Daesun Yun, Sung Yum Seo, Se Ho Park, Richard M. Locksley, Seokmann Hong

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

12 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Cytokines interleukin (IL) 12 and 23 play critical roles in linking innate and adaptive immune responses. They are members of heterodimeric cytokines, sharing a subunit p40. Although IL12/23 p40 is mainly induced in macrophages and dendritic cells (DCs) after stimulation with microbial Toll-like receptor ligands, methods to monitor the cells that produce IL12/23 p40 in vivo are limited. Recently, the mouse model to track p40-expressing cells with fluorescent reporter, yellow fluorescent protein, has been developed. Macrophages and DCs from these mice faithfully reported p40 induction using the fluorescent marker. Here we took advantage of these reporter mice to screen bio-compounds for p40-inducing activity. After screening hundreds of compounds, we found several extracts inducing IL12/23 p40 gene expression. Treatment of DCs with these extracts induced the expression of MHC class II and costimulatory molecules, which implies that these might be useful as adjuvants. Next, the in vivo target immune cells of candidate compounds were examined. The reporter system can be useful to identify cells producing IL12 or IL23 in vivo as well as in vitro. Thus, our cytokine reporter system proved to be a valuable reagent for screening for immunostimulatory molecules and identification of target cells in vivo.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)288-296
Number of pages9
JournalMolecules and cells
Volume20
Issue number2
Publication statusPublished - 2005

Keywords

  • Cytokine Reporter
  • Dendritic Cell
  • Innate Immune Response
  • Interleukin 12
  • Toll-like Receptor

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology

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