IL-12 Receptor

The IL-12 receptor is a type I cytokine receptor that binds to IL-12. It is mainly expressed on NK and T cells, consists of beta 1 and beta 2 subunits, and is a member of the gp130 cytokine receptor superfamily. IL-12R, when bound to its ligand IL-12, activates a series of signaling pathways. Among them, IL-12Rβ1 binds to tyrosine kinase 2 (Tyk2), while IL-12Rβ2 binds to Janus Kinase 2 (JAK2). In contrast, Tyk2 and JAK2 phosphorylate tyrosine residues mainly on signal transducer and activator of transcription 4 (STAT4). Eventually, the STAT4 complex localizes to the nucleus and binds to the IFNγ promoter, while the Jun oncogene (c-Jun) is recruited to the IFNγ promoter via STAT4, enhancing IFNγ transcription and Th1 differentiation. The IL-12R-mediated signaling pathway is thus also relevant to IFN-γ-associated autoimmune inflammatory diseases such as collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) and colitis[1][2].