IL-23 Receptor

The interleukin-23 receptor (IL-23R) is a type I transmembrane protein of the class I cytokine receptor family that confers specific responsiveness to IL-23. It consists of an extracellular region with a fibronectin type III domain and an Ig-like domain harboring the WSXWS motif, and a cytoplasmic tail with box 1/box 2 motifs and three tyrosine residues docking STAT4 and STAT3. IL-23R pairs with IL-12Rβ1 to form the functional receptor; IL-23 binding to IL-23R activates JAK2, while IL-12Rβ1 recruits TYK2. IL-23R is expressed on Th17 cells, Tregs, γδ T cells, NK cells, monocytes, macrophages and dendritic cells. Genome-wide association studies identify IL-23R variants (e.g., Arg381Gln) as strong protective or risk factors for Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, psoriasis and ankylosing spondylitis, underscoring its central role in IL-23-driven autoimmunity and therapeutic targeting.