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Interleukin-23 as a potential therapeutic target for rheumatoid arthritis

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Abstract

Cytokine-mediated immunity plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of various autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Increasing evidence has revealed the importance of IL-23, which closely resembles IL-12 structurally and immunologically, in linking innate and adaptive immunity. IL-23, a newly identified heterodimeric pro-inflammatory cytokine, is composed of a p40 subunit in common with IL-12 and a unique p19 subunit. Recent evidence suggests that IL-23, rather than IL-12, is the crucial factor in the pathogenesis of various immune-mediated disorders. In addition, recent studies have explored the role of IL-23 in patients with RA. An elevated expression of IL-23 has been demonstrated in the synovial fibroblasts and plasma of patients with RA. Moreover, an association between IL-23 and IL-23R polymorphisms with susceptibility to RA has been reported. Therefore, the targeting of IL-23 or the IL-23 receptor has been proposed as a potential therapeutic approach for RA. In this review we will discuss the biological features of IL-23, and summarize recent advances in our understanding of the role of IL-23 in the pathogenesis and treatment of RA.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by the China National Science Foundation Grants No. 30873080.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road Hefei, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, People’s Republic of China

    Chao Rong, Wei Hu, Fan-rong Wu & Fei-hu Chen

  2. Reproductive Centre of Anhui Provincial Hospital, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, People’s Republic of China

    Xiao-juan Cao

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  1. Chao Rong
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Correspondence to Fei-hu Chen.

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Rong, C., Hu, W., Wu, Fr. et al. Interleukin-23 as a potential therapeutic target for rheumatoid arthritis. Mol Cell Biochem 361, 243–248 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11010-011-1109-6

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