Expression of IL-12 receptor by neurons

Interleukin (IL)-12, a key cytokine bridging innate and acquired immunity, is efficacious in enhancing recovery from experimental vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) infection of the mouse central nervous system (CNS). This response is associated with the upregulation of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (NOS-1), independent of IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha. We hypothesized that neurons may respond directly IL-12. Our data are consistent with the expression of a functional IL-12 receptor (IL-12R) by neurons in culture and this receptor-ligand interaction results in the induction of an innate antiviral immune response. N18 cells, which did not express IL-12Rbeta2 were transfected with the IL-12Rbeta2 receptor gene; Koch's postulates were fulfilled, as clones derived from this transfection were reconstituted for IL-12 responsiveness.