IL12 is a heterodimer connected by a disulphide bond, one is encoded by IL12A and another IL12B. IL12 acts upon T cells inducing their differentiation; the interleukin induces production of INF-γ in resting peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). Furthermore, IL12 acts as a growth factor for activated T and natural killer (NK) cells, while enhancing the lytic activity of NK/lymphokine-activated killer cells. IL12 promotes T cell migration to the central nervous system by upregulating adhesion molecules – P-selectin glycoprotein ligand (PSGL-1) and chemokine receptor (CCR5).

Mutations in IL12A have been associated with Behcet Syndrome and Primary Biliary Cholangitis. IL12 also appears to play a role in multiple sclerosis pathogenesis.  However, studies have shown administering ranges of IL12 doses can have a differential effect on cancer and virus response possibly due to IL12 and CD8+ T cell signal transduction during cancer surveillance. Use of this antibody against IL12 subunit alpha could further the research into the protein’s role in the immune response and signalling cascade.