Introduction:
Interleukin 12 is also known as the natural killer cell stimulatory factor. It is a heterodimeric cytokine produced by monocytes, macrophages, B cells, dendritic cells (1), neutrophils (2), Langerhans cells and keratinocytes (3,4) and other antigen-presenting cells, in response to bacteria, bacterial products, or parasites. IL-12 has pleiotropic effects on NK and T cells, including induction of transcription and secretion of cytokines; proliferation of T and NK cells (5,6) and enhancement of cytotoxic activity.

Application:

Anti-IL-12, clone B-P24, is used to detect intracellular IL-12 in human leukocytes by flow cytometry.
It is also used with immunohistochemistry on cytospots and frozen tissue sections.
It is generally advisable to use a specificity control such as one of the following: 1) unlabelled antibody, 2) recombinant cytokines or 3) mouse isotype control.
It may also be used for biological studies. Clone B-P24 is a non-neutralizing antibody which has no effect on IL-12 induced proliferation of PHA and IL-2 activated lymphocytes.
IL-12 has been implicated in protective immune responses to a number of parasitic infections and in anti-tumor activities. IL-12 is thought to form a functional bridge between innate resistance mediated by phagocytic cells and NK cells on the one hand and antigen-specific adaptive immunity medtiated by Th cells, cytotoxic T cells and B cells on the other.

Specifications:
Anti-IL-12, clone B-P24, is a mouse IgG1 monoclonal antibody that recognizes both natural and recombinant human IL-12 (p40 and p70) in leukocytes.

Literature references:

1. Macatonia et al. 1995 J. Immunol. 154: 5071
2. Cassatella et al 1995. Eur. J. Immunol.25: 1
3. Kang, et al. 1996. J. Immunol. 156: 1442
4. Yawalkar et al. 1996. J. Invest. Dermatol. 106: 80
5. Kobayashi,M., et al 1989. J.Exp.Med. 170: 827